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
In 'I will deliver the documents to the teacher,' 'o-todoke suru' is an example of kenjōgo I.
Kenjōgo I is a type of honorific language that elevates the recipient of the action.
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.
Standard technical term in Japanese grammar; the Roman numeral I is part of the official classification.
Variant using full-width numeral １ instead of Roman numeral I; both are seen in pedagogical materials.
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.