How to say 'Honorifics' in Japanese | 敬語

word

Meaning

Honorifics

Reading

Kanji

敬Respect 語Language, Word

Explanation

The Japanese noun '敬語 (けいご)' refers to 'honorifics', which are a system of linguistic expressions used to show respect, politeness, or social distance. It is a crucial aspect of Japanese language and culture, often used in formal settings, business interactions, or when speaking to someone of higher status. There are three main types of 敬語: 尊敬語 (そんけいご, respectful language), 謙譲語 (けんじょうご, humble language), and 丁寧語 (ていねいご, polite language). For example: Please use honorifics when speaking to the teacher「先生には敬語を使ってください」(せんせいにはけいごをつかってください). I struggle with using honorifics correctly「敬語を正しく使うのが難しい」(けいごをただしくつかうのがむずかしい). Mastering 敬語 is essential for navigating Japanese social hierarchies and maintaining proper etiquette.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

2214

Composition

kanji

Handwriting