Keigo (敬語) is the formal, polite language system used in Japanese to show respect, humility, and maintain social harmony. It’s one of the most challenging aspects of Japanese for learners, yet mastering it is essential for business, formal situations, and truly understanding Japanese culture.

Unlike English, where politeness is often conveyed through word choice and tone, Japanese has an entire grammatical system dedicated to showing respect. Keigo transforms verbs, adds special vocabulary, and changes sentence structure based on the social relationship between speaker and listener.

This comprehensive guide will demystify keigo completely. You’ll learn the three types of keigo, essential verb conjugations, business phrases, and practical strategies for using polite Japanese correctly.

What is Keigo?

Keigo (敬語) literally means “respectful language” (敬 = respect, 語 = language). It’s a systematized way of speaking that adjusts based on:

• Social hierarchy: Your position relative to the listener
• Formality: The situation’s level of formality
• In-group vs. out-group: Whether you’re speaking about your group or others
• Context: Business, service, social, or family settings

When You Need Keigo

• Business settings: With clients, customers, superiors, and colleagues (formal contexts)
• Service interactions: Retail, restaurants, hotels, customer service
• Formal occasions: Weddings, ceremonies, official speeches
• Meeting new people: First interactions with adults
• Speaking to elders: Older people outside your family
• Professional communication: Emails, phone calls, presentations

The Three Types of Keigo

Keigo consists of three distinct systems that work together:

Sonkeigo: Respectful Language (尊敬語)

Sonkeigo elevates the status of the person doing the action. Use it when the subject is someone of higher status than you.

How Sonkeigo Works

There are three main patterns for creating sonkeigo:

Pattern 1: Special Honorific Verbs

Some common verbs have completely different respectful forms:

Pattern 2: お + Verb Stem + になる

For most other verbs, use this pattern:

Pattern 3: Passive Form as Sonkeigo

The passive form can also serve as sonkeigo:

Kenjougo: Humble Language (謙譲語)

Kenjougo lowers your own status (or your in-group’s status) to elevate the listener by contrast. Use it when YOU or YOUR GROUP is doing the action.

How Kenjougo Works

Pattern 1: Special Humble Verbs

Pattern 2: お + Verb Stem + する

For other verbs where you’re doing something for someone else’s benefit:

Teineigo: Polite Language (丁寧語)

Teineigo is the basic polite speech you learn as a beginner. It uses です/ます endings and polite vocabulary.

Characteristics of Teineigo

• です (desu) for nouns and adjectives
• ます (masu) for verbs
• ございます (gozaimasu) – very polite “to be”
• Polite prefixes: お (o-) and ご (go-)

Common Teineigo Expressions

Essential Keigo Verb Conjugations

Here’s a master reference of the most important verbs in all three keigo forms:

Keigo in Business Situations

Business Japanese heavily relies on keigo. Here are common scenarios:

50 Must-Know Keigo Phrases

Greeting & Introduction

Asking & Requesting

Responding & Confirming

Apologizing

Thanking

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mastering Keigo Takes Practice

Keigo is arguably the most difficult aspect of Japanese for non-native speakers. Even native Japanese speakers study keigo throughout their education and into their professional careers. Don’t be discouraged if it feels overwhelming at first—it’s supposed to be challenging!

The key is to start with Teineigo (です/ます forms) and gradually incorporate more advanced Sonkeigo and Kenjougo as you gain confidence. Listen carefully to how native speakers use keigo in different situations, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—people appreciate the effort.

Remember: using keigo shows cultural awareness and respect for Japanese social norms. It’s not just about grammar—it’s about understanding and honoring the values of hierarchy, humility, and social harmony that define Japanese culture.