Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
High-frequency honorific verbs
Recognize high-frequency honorific verbs such as and .
Start with the example
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The teacher has already arrived.
Notice the variation
。
What did the company president say?
More detail: how to apply this
Honorific verbs raise the other person or the person being talked about.
At N4, focus on the most common high-frequency forms rather than the whole keigo system.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Identify whose action the respectful or humble verb describes, then follow the ordinary sequence markers.
describes the speaker’s promised contact politely and humbly. The sequence is an offer about the speaker’s own actions.
、。
I will look over the materials and then contact you.
Identify whose action the respectful or humble verb describes, then follow the ordinary sequence markers.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
The teacher has already arrived.
Compare in context
。
What did the company president say?
Compare in context
。
Please look over here.
is a common honorific request.
Vocabulary notes
- どうぞ
- please; by all means
- こちら
- this way; here
- ください
- please give; please do
Section 2 of 4
High-frequency humble verbs
High-frequency humble verbs
Start with the example
。
I will visit tomorrow.
Notice the variation
。
My name is Yamada.
More detail: how to apply this
Humble verbs lower the speaker or the speaker’s side.
They are common in customer service, phone calls, and workplace situations.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I will visit tomorrow.
In this example, the message is: I will visit tomorrow.
。
I will visit tomorrow.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I will visit tomorrow.
Showing High-frequency humble verbs: Everyday words.
Target signal
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I will visit tomorrow.
Preview
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My name is Yamada.
Preview
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I will have the tea.
Vocabulary notes
- お茶
- tea
Section 3 of 4
Reading everyday polite interactions
Identify whose action the respectful or humble verb describes, then follow the ordinary sequence markers.
Reading everyday polite interactions
、。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
is a humble way for the speaker or speaker’s side to look at the materials. The customer is not automatically the person reviewing them.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
In service counters and workplace notes, keigo often appears in fixed phrases.
If you can identify a few key verbs, the whole sentence becomes much easier to follow.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
The department head is away from their desk at the moment.
This fits a worker speaking to a customer about their own department head. presents the speaker’s organizational side politely; in another setting, honorific may be appropriate.
。
The department head is away from their desk at the moment.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: The department head is away from their desk at the moment.
Showing Reading everyday polite interactions: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
The department head is away from their desk at the moment.
This fits a worker speaking to a customer about their own department head. presents the speaker’s organizational side politely; in another setting, honorific may be appropriate.
Preview
。。
Please wait a moment. The person in charge will come.
Vocabulary notes
- ください
- please give; please do
Preview
、。
I will look over the materials and then contact you.
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
Honorific raises the subject;
humble language lowers the speaker's side relative to another.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
Honorific raises the subject; humble language lowers the speaker's side relative to another.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Honorific teacher's motion/presence / humble speaker's going/coming
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.