Complete Guide to Keigo: Master Sonkeigo, Kenjougo, and Teineigo with Real Examples

Students engage in a lively discussion during a Japanese Keigo (polite language) class, deepening their understanding of respectful communication.

Keigo is one of the most defining—and intimidating—features of the Japanese language. While beginners often see it as a collection of complicated verb forms, keigo is actually a communication system built around respect, humility, and social awareness. Understanding keigo is essential not only for working in Japan but also for navigating Japanese society with confidence.

This complete guide breaks down keigo into its three major categories—teineigo, sonkeigo, and kenjougo—and provides real examples, usage guidelines, and practical tips to help you finally understand how they work.

1. What Keigo Really Is—and Why It Matters

Keigo exists to show respect, maintain social harmony, and clarify relationship roles. It’s not simply “formal Japanese.” It’s a linguistic tool used to signal:

• hierarchy

• humility

• professionalism

• distance and politeness

• appreciation

In Japanese workplaces, customer service, and public interactions, keigo communicates emotional intelligence as much as language skill. Even simple keigo can dramatically improve how seriously you are taken.

2. Teineigo: The Foundation of Polite Speech

Teineigo (丁寧語) is the easiest and most essential level of keigo. It uses ～ます / ～です forms and polite expressions.

Common Teineigo Examples

• 行きます (I will go)

• 見ます (I will see)

• そうです (It is so)

Teineigo is appropriate for almost all everyday interactions, including:

• customer conversations

• work emails

• speaking to anyone outside your inner circle

• formal introductions

Useful Teineigo Phrases

• よろしくお願いします

• ありがとうございます

• お願いします

Teineigo is the base upon which sonkeigo and kenjougo are built. Mastering it ensures you sound polite in any situation.

3. Sonkeigo: The Language of Respect

Sonkeigo (尊敬語) elevates the actions of the other person. You use it when talking about someone above you in status—customers, clients, managers, or VIP guests.

Key Sonkeigo Verb Transformations

Plain Verb	Sonkeigo
行く・来る・いる	いらっしゃる
言う	おっしゃる
見る	ご覧になる
する	なさる
食べる・飲む	召し上がる
くれる	くださる

Example Sentences

• 社長は明日こちらにいらっしゃいます。(The president will come here tomorrow.)

• 資料をご覧になりましたか。(Have you seen the documents?)

Notice how sonkeigo elevates the subject, never yourself.

4. Kenjougo: The Language of Humility

Kenjougo (謙譲語) lowers your own actions to show respect toward the listener. This is the most misunderstood part of keigo, but it’s essential in business situations.

Key Kenjougo Verb Transformations

Plain Verb	Kenjougo
行く・来る	伺う / 参る
言う	申し上げる
会う	お目にかかる
する	いたす
知っている	存じ上げております

Example Sentences

• 来週、御社に伺います。(I will visit your company next week.)

• こちらの資料をご確認いただけますと幸いです。(We would appreciate it if you could check this document.)

Kenjougo emphasizes humility and professionalism by lowering your stance in the conversation.

5. Hybrid Keigo: お〜になる / お〜する

When no fixed keigo form exists, Japanese uses a productive structure.

Sonkeigo pattern: お＋Verb Stem＋になる

• お待ちになります

• お使いになります

Kenjougo pattern: お＋Verb Stem＋する

• お待ちしております

• お送りします

This pattern is essential for business emails and customer service.

6. Real Email Examples Using All Three Types

Example 1: Simple Request

いつもお世話になっております。こちらの資料をご確認いただけますでしょうか。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

• ご確認いただく → kenjougo (humble request)

Example 2: Scheduling a Meeting

田中様打ち合わせのお時間を頂戴し、誠にありがとうございます。明日10時に御社へ伺います。

• 伺う → kenjougo

• 頂戴する → humble receiving

Example 3: Delivering Information to a Client

以下の資料をお送りいたしますので、ご査収くださいませ。ご不明点がございましたら、お気軽にお申し付けください。

• お送りいたします → humble

• お申し付けください → respectful invitation

7. When NOT to Use Keigo

Keigo is not always appropriate. Overusing it can create unnecessary distance or sound robotic.

Avoid keigo with:

• close colleagues

• teammates on equal footing

• friends or family

• people who explicitly ask you to “speak normally”

Keigo is a tool—not a default.

8. Practical Tips for Mastering Keigo

1. Don’t memorize everything—learn patterns.

Understanding the logic behind sonkeigo and kenjougo is more efficient.

2. Copy real emails.

Professional emails are consistent and formulaic. Exposure builds intuition.

3. Practice in fixed phrases first.

• お世話になっております

• 何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます

Keigo has many set expressions that never change.

4. Learn when each type is appropriate.

This is often more important than correct grammar.

5. Get used to switching levels.

A single email may contain both respectful and humble forms depending on context.

Conclusion

Keigo is challenging only when approached as a list of irregular verbs. The moment you see it as a relationship tool—with polite (teineigo), respectful (sonkeigo), and humble (kenjougo) layers—it becomes logical and even elegant. Learning keigo allows you to write emails confidently, improve professional communication, and understand the unspoken rules of Japanese culture.

Mastering keigo is not about perfection—it’s about awareness, intention, and respect. With consistent practice and exposure to real examples, you can use keigo naturally and effectively in any business setting.