noun
humble language (type I); kenjōgo I
A subtype of humble language (kenjōgo) where the speaker's action is directed toward the listener or a third party, making that person the indirect object or recipient. Contrasts with 謙譲語ＩＩ (kenjōgo II), which expresses politeness toward the listener without an indirect object relationship. Used in formal or respectful contexts.
See also: 謙譲語ＩＩ
「先生に資料をお届けする」の「お届けする」は謙譲語Ｉの例です。
In 'I will deliver the documents to the teacher,' 'o-todoke suru' is an example of kenjōgo I.
謙譲語Ｉは、動作の受け手を高める敬語です。
Kenjōgo I is a type of honorific language that elevates the recipient of the action.
Kenjōgo II (humble language type II) also lowers the speaker, but it does not involve an indirect object; it simply shows politeness to the listener, e.g., 参る (mairu, 'to go' humbly). Kenjōgo I always implies an action directed toward a respected person.
Sonkeigo (respectful language) elevates the subject of the action, while kenjōgo I lowers the speaker and often involves an action directed toward the respected person.
Teineigo (polite language) uses です・ます forms to show general politeness, without the specific lowering of the speaker or indirect object relationship found in kenjōgo I.
Compound of 謙譲 (kenjō, 'humility') + 語 (go, 'language') + Ｉ (ichi, 'one'), following the classification system used in Japanese school grammar and the Agency for Cultural Affairs' honorific guidelines.