Lesson 124 of 126
The lesson
13.3 謙譲語 — Humble Forms
Overview
Learn the humble forms (謙譲語) used to lower your own actions when speaking to or about someone of higher status. Humble language is the other half of the respectful language system.
Special humble verbs
Just like respectful language has special verbs, humble language has its own replacements for common verbs.
| Ordinary form | Humble form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| いる (to be) | おる | to be; to exist |
| いく (to go) | まいる | to go |
| くる (to come) | まいる | to come |
| いう (to say) | もうす / もうしあげる | to say |
| する (to do) | いたす | to do |
| たべる / のむ (eat/drink) | いただく | to eat; to drink; to receive |
| もらう (to receive) | いただく | to receive |
| あげる (to give) | さしあげる | to give (to s.o. higher) |
| しる (to know) | ぞんじる | to know |
| みる (to see) | はいけんする | to see; to look at |
| きく (to ask/hear) | うかがう | to ask; to visit |
| いく/くる (to visit) | うかがう | to visit |
Regular humble pattern: お/ご～する
For other verbs: お + verb stem + する / いたす
いただく — a key humble verb
いただく (to receive/eat/drink humbly) is extremely common:
- Receiving something: プレゼントをいただきました (I received a gift)
- Eating/drinking: いただきます (said before meals)
- Requesting: ～ていただけますか (could you please~?)
- Reporting receipt: ～していただきました (you were kind enough to~)
Comparison in context
Dialogue
あAきごう：おなまえお名前をおききしてお聞きしてもよろしいですか。 bBきごう：たなか田中ともうします申します。ええびいしいABCしょうじ商事のもの者でございます。
あAきごう：ごせつめい説明いただけますか。 bBきごう：はい、ただいまごせつめい説明いたします。
あAきごう：しりょう資料をおもちしましょうお持ちしましょうか。 bBきごう：ありがとうございます。ではおねがいしますお願いします。
A: May I ask your name? B: My name is Tanaka. I am from ABC Trading.
A: Could you explain, please? B: Yes, I will explain right away.
A: Shall I carry the documents for you? B: Thank you. Please do.
New words
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