What Is Keigo?
Keigo (敬語) is the formal register of Japanese that expresses respect, humility, and social awareness. It is not a separate language — it is a layer within Japanese that speakers switch to automatically depending on the social context, the relative status of the people involved, and the formality of the setting.
Understanding keigo is not just about grammar — it's about understanding Japanese culture itself. The concept of uchi-soto (内外, inside-outside) is central: how you speak about your own group (uchi) versus outsiders or superiors (soto) fundamentally shapes which keigo level you use.
The Three Levels of Keigo
1. Teineigo (丁寧語) — Polite Language
Teineigo is the most basic and commonly used polite form. It is what you learn first as a Japanese student: the -masu verb endings and desu copula.
- Plain: 食べる (taberu — to eat)
- Teineigo: 食べます (tabemasu)
- Plain: だ (da — is)
- Teineigo: です (desu)
Teineigo is safe for most daily interactions with strangers, service workers, and acquaintances. It establishes basic politeness without implying significant hierarchy.
2. Sonkeigo (尊敬語) — Respectful Language
Sonkeigo elevates the actions and status of the person you are speaking to or speaking about. You use sonkeigo to describe what a superior, customer, or respected individual does — never yourself.
| Plain Form | Sonkeigo | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| する (suru) | なさる (nasaru) | to do |
| いる (iru) | いらっしゃる (irassharu) | to be / to exist |
| 言う (iu) | おっしゃる (ossharu) | to say |
| 食べる (taberu) | 召し上がる (meshiagaru) | to eat |
| 来る (kuru) | いらっしゃる (irassharu) | to come |
Example: お客様は何時にいらっしゃいますか？ (Okyaku-sama wa nanji ni irasshaimasu ka?) — "What time will the customer be arriving?"
3. Kenjōgo (謙譲語) — Humble Language
Kenjōgo lowers the speaker's own actions to show deference to the other person. You use it to describe your own actions in front of a superior or customer.
| Plain Form | Kenjōgo | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| する (suru) | いたす (itasu) | to do |
| いる (iru) | おる (oru) | to be |
| 言う (iu) | 申す (mousu) | to say |
| 食べる (taberu) | いただく (itadaku) | to eat / receive |
| 行く (iku) | 参る (mairu) | to go |
Example: 私がご案内いたします。 (Watashi ga go-annai itashimasu.) — "I will show you the way." (Said humbly by an employee to a customer.)
When Is Keigo Used?
- Workplace settings — With clients, superiors, and in formal business correspondence.
- Customer service — Shop staff, hotel employees, and restaurant servers consistently use sonkeigo and kenjōgo.
- First meetings — When meeting someone for the first time, especially if their social position is unknown.
- Official communications — Emails, letters, and announcements in professional or institutional contexts.
Keigo and Cultural Identity
Keigo is a living reflection of Japanese social values: group harmony (wa), respect for elders and superiors, and awareness of one's place within a social structure. Even native Japanese speakers study and practice keigo — it is formally taught in schools and is an ongoing professional skill for adults entering the workforce.
For learners, you don't need to master keigo to have great conversations in Japanese. However, recognizing it when you hear it — and knowing why it's being used — will deepen your appreciation of the language and culture enormously.