What is Kenjougo (謙譲語)? Japanese Humble Language

Presentation of Kenjougo (謙譲語)

• Kenjougo (謙譲語) is one of the three main types of keigo (敬語), or honorific language, in Japanese.
• It is used to humble yourself or your in-group, showing respect to the person you are addressing.
• This is especially important in formal situations, business, customer service, or when speaking to someone of higher status.
• Kenjougo reflects the Japanese cultural value of humility. By downplaying your own actions, you demonstrate politeness and consideration for others.

Keigo Overview: Where Does Kenjougo Fit?

When Do You Use Kenjougo?

• When talking about your own actions in front of someone you want to show respect to (teacher, client, boss, etc.)
• When offering to do something for someone (helping, giving, explaining, etc.)
• In business, customer service, or any formal/professional context
• When writing formal emails or documents
• During job interviews or official meetings

Forms of Kenjougo

1. Special Humble Verbs

   Plain Form	Kenjougo Form	Meaning
   する	いたす	to do
   言いう	申もうす / 申もうし上あげる	to say
   行いく	伺うかがう / 参まいる	to go
   来くる	参まいる	to come
   見みる	拝見はいけんする	to look at
   聞きく	伺うかがう / 拝聴はいちょうする	to ask / to listen
   会あう	お目めにかかる	to meet
   あげる	差さし上あげる	to give
   もらう	頂いただく	to receive
   知しっている	存ぞんじている / 存ぞんじ上あげている	to know

2. Set Patterns with お + Verb Stem + する used for native Japanese verbs.

   Plain Form	Kenjougo Form	Meaning
   待まつ	お待まちする	to wait

3. Set Patterns with ご + Noun + する used for Sino-Japanese words (words of Chinese origin).

   Plain Form	Kenjougo Form	Meaning
   案内あんないする	ご案内あんないする	to guide

Example Sentences

私がご案内あんないいたします。 I will guide you.

少々お待まちくださいませ。 Please wait a moment.

先生にお目めにかかりました。 I met the teacher.

資料しりょうを拝見はいけんしました。 I looked at the documents.

お時間じかんをいただきありがとうございます。 Thank you very much for your time.

ご迷惑めいわくをおかけして申し訳もうしわけございません。 I sincerely apologize for causing trouble.

お邪魔じゃまして申し訳もうしわけございません。 I sincerely apologize for bothering you.

Kenjougo: Ultra-Short Summary for Learners

• First, learn the special form of the 10 most common verbs(する, 行く, 言う...).
• Use kenjougo mainly in emails, resumes and customer service.
• If you’re unsure, using the masu-form is polite enough.