Translation guide
In Japanese, politeness is expressed through verb forms, word choice, and sentence endings. The most common way is using です/ます forms. There are also honorific (尊敬語) and humble (謙譲語) forms for formal situations.
To speak politely in everyday situations, such as with strangers, superiors, or in formal settings.
To show respect to someone of higher status, such as a boss, customer, or elder.
A common honorific pattern. Use お for native Japanese verbs and ご for Sino-Japanese verbs.
先生はもうお帰りになりました。
The teacher has already gone home.
Honorific for いる, 来る, 行く. Used for someone of higher status.
社長はいらっしゃいますか。
Is the company president here?
Honorific for 食べる/飲む. Used when offering food or drink to a superior.
To lower oneself or one's in-group to show respect to the listener or a third party.
A common humble pattern. Use お for native Japanese verbs and ご for Sino-Japanese verbs.
お荷物をお持ちします。
I'll carry your luggage.
Humble for 聞く, 訪ねる, 尋ねる. Used when asking or visiting a superior.
明日お宅に伺います。
I will visit your home tomorrow.
Humble for 言う. Used when speaking about oneself to a superior.
To make polite requests or ask for favors.
Standard polite request form. Attach to the te-form of a verb.
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
Very polite request, literally 'Could I receive the favor of you doing...'. Used in formal situations.
この書類をチェックしていただけますか。
Could you please check this document?
To make adjectives and nouns polite.
To express negation or past tense politely.
Polite negative, past, and past negative forms of verbs.
昨日は勉強しませんでした。
I didn't study yesterday.
もう食べましたか。
Have you already eaten?
Using honorific language with close friends or family can sound distant or sarcastic. Reserve 尊敬語 and 謙譲語 for formal or business situations.
In casual settings, dropping です/ます is normal. However, when in doubt, using polite forms is safer, especially with strangers.
どうぞ召し上がってください。
Please eat/drink.
My name is Tanaka.