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Advanced Keigo: Sonkeigo & Kenjogo

At N2 level, you need to master the irregular sonkeigo and kenjogo verb forms. These are special verbs — not derived by formula, they must be memorized.

Verb Reference Table

Plain FormSonkeigo (尊敬語)Kenjogo (謙譲語)
いる (to be)いらっしゃるおる
行く (to go)いらっしゃる参る (まいる)
来る (to come)いらっしゃる / おいでになる参る (まいる)
する (to do)なさるいたす
言う (to say)おっしゃる申す (もうす)
食べる / 飲む召し上がる (めしあがる)いただく
もらう (to receive)いただく
あげる (to give)差し上げる (さしあげる)
くれる (to give me)くださる
見る (to see)ご覧になる (ごらんになる)拝見する (はいけんする)

Examples in Context

Shachou wa mou kaigishitsu ni irasshaimasu.
The president is already in the conference room. (sonkeigo)
Watashi wa Yamada to moushimasu.
My name is Yamada. (kenjogo)
Gochuumon wa nani ni nasaimasu ka?
What will you order? (sonkeigo for する)
Nochihodo odenwa itashimasu.
I will call you later. (kenjogo for する)
Kochira no shiryou wo goran kudasai.
Please look at these materials. (sonkeigo for 見る)

Quick Quiz

Question 1 of 10
する → sonkeigo form