Unit 1 - Section 3: Teineigo (Polite Language)
Teineigo — polite language
丁寧語 is the です／ます layer. It is polite to the listener. It is not the same as 尊敬語 (raising the other person) or 謙譲語 (lowering yourself).
Three layers
| Layer | Who it marks | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 丁寧語 | Politeness to the listener | 行きます / 本です |
| 尊敬語 | The other person’s action | いらっしゃいます |
| 謙譲語 | The speaker’s action | 参ります |
You can stack them: 参ります is humble + polite. いらっしゃいます is honorific + polite.
Everyday polite choices
- です／ます for strangers, service, and most classrooms.
- Plain form (だ／辞書形) with close friends and in diary or news style.
- Do not mix です at the end with a casual だ in the same sentence without a reason.
これは宿題です。後で出します。
This is homework. I will hand it in later. (consistent です／ます)
先生はもうお帰りになりました。
The teacher has already gone home. (sonkeigo + ます)