いたします

いたします is the humble (謙譲語) polite form of します ("to do"). It is formed from the humble verb いたす plus the polite suffix 〜～ます. By using いたします instead of します, the speaker lowers their own actions to show respect toward the listener or a third party of higher status.

When to use いたします

いたします is used in formal and business situations – customer service, workplace communication, formal announcements, and polite self-introductions. It replaces します whenever you want to express that you (or your in-group) are doing something, and you wish to be respectful toward the person you're speaking to.

Common patterns

いたします frequently appears with Sino-Japanese nouns (サ変動詞) – nouns that pair with する to form verbs. In humble speech, する is simply replaced with いたす/いたします.

Note how ご or お is often added to the noun to further elevate politeness toward the listener. The combination お/ご～いたします is a very common humble pattern.

いたします vs. します

Both mean "to do," but いたします is humble and します is simply polite. In a business setting, using します when speaking about your own actions to a client or superior can sound insufficiently respectful. いたします is the safer and more appropriate choice.

Set phrases

いたします appears in many fixed expressions used daily in formal Japanese:

• しつれい失礼いたします – "Excuse me" (when entering/leaving/interrupting)
• おねがいいたしますお願いいたします – "I humbly request" / "Please" (very polite)
• よろしくおねがいいたしますお願いいたします – Standard formal closing phrase