Definition:
Keigo levels (敬語のレベル) refer to the three-part system of Japanese honorific speech: 尊敬語 (sonkeigo), respectful language that elevates the listener or referent; 謙譲語 (kenjōgo), humble language that lowers the speaker or in-group; and 丁寧語 (teineigo), polite language that maintains a generally courteous tone. These three levels work together to express social relationships, hierarchy, and situational formality.
In-Depth Explanation
Japanese keigo is one of the most complex honorific systems in any world language. Understanding the three levels requires grasping who is being elevated or lowered in each case.
The three levels:
| Level | Japanese | Function | Who is affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonkeigo (尊敬語) | Respectful | Elevates the listener or a third party | Actions of superiors, customers, etc. |
| Kenjōgo (謙譲語) | Humble | Lowers the speaker or speaker’s in-group | Speaker’s own actions when addressing superiors |
| Teineigo (丁寧語) | Polite | General politeness | Neutral — doesn’t elevate or lower anyone specifically |
Examples with the verb “to eat”:
| Level | Form | Literal Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | 食べる (taberu) | eat |
| Teineigo | 食べます (tabemasu) | eat (polite) |
| Sonkeigo | 召し上がる (meshiagaru) | eat (respectful — elevates the eater) |
| Kenjōgo | いただく (itadaku) | eat (humble — lowers the speaker) |
Examples with “to go”:
| Level | Form |
|---|---|
| Plain | 行く (iku) |
| Teineigo | 行きます (ikimasu) |
| Sonkeigo | いらっしゃる (irassharu) |
| Kenjōgo | 参る (mairu) |
Key principle — relative positioning:
Keigo is not about absolute politeness but about relative social positioning. A company employee talks about their own boss using humble forms (kenjōgo) when speaking to an outside client, even though the boss is the employee’s superior. This is because:
- To outsiders, the boss is part of the speaker’s in-group (uchi) and must be lowered
- To in-group, the boss is soto (out-group/above) and receives respectful forms
This uchi/soto (内/外) dynamic makes keigo especially challenging for learners because the same person may receive either respectful or humble forms depending on the context.
Common learner mistakes:
- Using sonkeigo for your own actions: *「私がいらっしゃいます」(wrong)
- Using kenjōgo for the listener’s actions: *「先生が参りました」(wrong — this humbles the teacher)
- Mixing plain and polite forms in the same conversation
- Over-using keigo in casual situations (sounds stiff and distant with friends)
Practical Application
For most Japanese learners, teineigo (です/ます) should be the default from day one. Sonkeigo and kenjōgo become important at the intermediate level and are essential for business Japanese (ビジネス日本語). Start by learning the most common keigo verbs (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, ご覧になる for sonkeigo; 参る, 申す, いただく for kenjōgo) and practice them in context.
Related Terms
See Also
Research
- Ide, S. (1989). Formal forms and discernment: Two neglected aspects of universals of linguistic politeness. Multilingua, 8(2–3), 223–248. — Argues that Japanese keigo involves obligatory social indexing (“discernment”) rather than voluntary strategic politeness.
- Niyekawa, A. M. (1991). Minimum Essential Politeness: A Guide to the Japanese Honorific Language. Kodansha International. — Practical guide to keigo levels with usage examples.