参まいる・伺うかがう・申もうす・いたすSpecial humble verbs

Choose by meaning and actor

First identify the actor. A special humble verb normally describes the speaker, someone associated with the speaker, or the speaker’s organization—not the respected person. Then choose the verb by its ordinary meaning: movement, visiting or asking, saying, or doing.

The four core replacements

Notice that the actor is always the speaker or someone on the speaker’s side.

Two kinds of deference

Some uses lower an action that is directed toward a respected party, as when you visit or ask someone with 伺うかがう. Other uses courteously present the speaker’s own action to the listener, as in an introduction with 申もうす or formal narration with 参まいる. Many courses teach both together as humble language; a finer official analysis separates these social functions. The practical rule remains the same: the actor belongs to the speaker’s side.

Choosing between movement verbs

参まいる is the broad humble or formally self-lowering replacement for going and coming. 伺うかがう is particularly natural when visiting a respected person or a place connected with that person. It also has the separate meanings “ask” and “hear.”

Visiting and asking

Respectful and humble viewpoints

For going and coming, 行いく・来くる are ordinary. いらっしゃる is respectful and describes the respected person’s action. 参まいる is humble and describes movement by the speaker’s side. The social status of the person alone is not enough; you must also identify which side that person belongs to in the conversation.