Let’s use correct Keigo!

◇◇◇Let’s use correct 敬語[Keigo](polite language)! part.3◇◇◇

Today I introduce Kenjougo using simple examples.

謙譲語 I [Kenjougo] – humble language/form I – ex) Ukagau, Moushiageru

謙譲語 I is used for the direction toward whom you pay due respect to.
In 謙譲語, you should lower your position for the person whom you pay due respect to.

[plain sentence] —> [Kenjougo]
To your superiors such as your teacher or elders
明日、午後２時に行く。　—>　明日、午後２時に先生のところに伺います。
Asu, gogo niji ni iku. —> Asu, gogo niji ni Sensei no tokoro ni Ukagaimasu.

明日、午後２時に行く。　—>　明日、午後２時に先生のところにお伺いします。
Asu, gogo niji ni iku. —> Asu, gogo niji ni Sensei no tokoro ni Oukagaishimasu. [more polite]

Both are the same meaning and Kenjougo. “O–shimasu” is more polite in these Kenjougo I sentences.
Tomorrow, I’m going at 2pm. –> Tomorrow, I am going to my teacher at 2pm.
In English it is almost the same between the plain sentence and the Kenjougo sentence.
The difference is whether you clearly mention the direction.
The Kenjougo I sentence always has a direction toward whom you pay due respect to.

#basic key words:
asu = tomorrow
gogo = afternoon
niji = 2 o’clock
iku = go
sensei = teacher
no = [possessive particle]: the ‘s in English
tokoro = place, location

Today’s Word

>>>Today’s Word>>>

Let’s learn one word from today so that you can expand your vocabulary!

Today’s word is ごはん(ご飯)[gohan]

ご[go*1] is a prefix*2 for the following noun.

飯 means rice.

Are you interested in why the kanji “飯” means rice?

Each Kanji has each meaning.

(I always tell learners of Japanese about it.)

Trivia:
The kanji is composed of two parts;
the left part of the kanji means to eat and
the right part “反[tan]” is a unit of an area.

反[tan] was originally used for an area of rice field.

Therefore, the kanji 飯 means rice out of the historical background.

Do you know most Japanese people eat rice every day even if we have already adopted
various kinds of Western culture?

Rice is very important for us and is our staple diet.

(I eat rice every day even in America..)

Usage:
So, when we ask someone, “did you eat ‘gohan’?,”
the ‘gohan’ implies and means not rice but a meal.

In Japanese we would ask you, “(anata-wa*3) gohan (wo*4) tabemashitaka/tabeta*5?”

*1)the pronunciation is not go[gou] in English but [go] in Japanese.
*2)美化語[Bikago] – more refined language by prefixing “O” or “Go”
*3)you can omit the word in a casual conversation. it means “you”.
*4)you can omit the word in a casual conversation.
*5)’tabeta’ is a casual form of the past tense of “taberu= eat” while ‘tabemashita’ is a polite form of the past tense of “taberu= eat”. If you add “ka” then it turns to be a question. However, in a casual way, you can omit “ka” with a tone of a question.

Let’s try simple Japanese phrases!

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Let’s try simple Japanese phrases! vol.1
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A new column about simple Japanese phrases starts from this week!

Let’s try simple Japanese phrases together.

Today is one of our greetings, Ohayo-gozaimasu.
It is a morning greeting used when you meet/see someone first in the morning.

When you add O (お in Hiragana), it usually becomes politer.
O + hayo originates from O + hayaku(早く).

Hayai(早い) = early

Ohayo = お早う/ おはよう
Ohayogozaimasu = お早うございます/ おはようございます
= Good morning

Gozaimasu is one of Keigo, Teineigo which means to exist or to be, Aru(ある).
丁寧語[Teineigo] – simply polite language

Remember: When you say the greeting to your elders and betters, you should say
Ohayogozaimasu.
When you say the greeting to your friend, you can say
Ohayo as a casual form.

original meaning:
Congratulations on your health for your getting up early.

Let’s use correct Keigo!

◇◇◇Let’s use correct 敬語[Keigo](polite language)! part.2◇◇◇

Today I introduce Sonkeigo using simple examples.

尊敬語[Sonkeigo] – respectful language – ex) Irassharu, Ossharu

[plain sentence] –> [Sonkeigo]
To your superiors such as your teacher or elders

Raishu, Kaigai ni ikunodesuka? —> Raishu, Kaigai ni irassharunodesuka?
Raishu, Kaigai ni ikundesuka? —-> Raishu, Kaigai ni irassharundesuka? (*)

Are you going abroad next week? —> (the same as the plain sentence in English)
*it is more conversational form.

Let’s continue to study about Sonkeigo using another verb.

Sensei wa shukudai wo suruyoni iu. —> Sensei wa shukudai wo suruyoni Ossharu.
Sensei wa shukudai wo suruyoni itteimasu.
—> Sensei wa shukudai wo suruyoni itteoraremasu.(**)

The teacher says that we should do our homework./ The teacher tells us to do our homework.
**It is more conversational form.　Osshatteimasu is incorrect, because this is a
double verb form (iu + iru/oru), in that case, the second verb should be transformed to a Keigo.
So, itte-oraremasu is appropriate.

#basic key words:
iku = go
iu = say, tell
raishu = next week
ni = to
sensei = teacher
shukudai = homework
suru = do

Let’s use correct Keigo!

◇◇◇Let’s use correct 敬語[Keigo](polite language)! part.1◇◇◇

Keigo has been grouped into three categories(Sonkeigo, Kenjougo, and Teineigo) for years but new guidelines for Keigo was offered by Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2007, and we are encouraged to use Keigo appropriately according to time and circumstances more and more. Keigo has been used for keeping a mutual relationship good and showing respect to the other since early times in Japan. For example it was used even during the period when 古事記[Kojiki] Records of Ancient Matters – Japan’s oldest historical record) and 日本書紀[Nihon-shoki] (the oldest chronicles of Japan) were written. Keigo is still an important language in our society.

General 3 groups
尊敬語[Sonkeigo] – respectful language
謙譲語[Kenjougo] – humble language
丁寧語[Teineigo] – simply polite language

New 5 groups
尊敬語[Sonkeigo] – respectful language – ex) Irassharu, Ossharu
謙譲語 I [Kenjougo] – humble language I – ex) Ukagau, Moushiageru
謙譲語 Ⅱ [Kenjougo] – humble language Ⅱ – ex) Mairu, Mousu
丁寧語[Teineigo] – simply polite language – ex) -Desu, – Masu
美化語[Bikago] – more refined language by prefixing “O” or “Go” – ex) O-ryori

In the next part, I will fill in the details by group using some examples. 🙂