Keigo and Honorific Expressions Flashcards

Which sentence correctly uses humble language (kenjōgo) for 'I will do it'?

Answer: いたします (itashimasu)

いたします is the kenjōgo form of します, used when the speaker humbly refers to their own action in a formal or business context.

What is the respectful (sonkeigo) expression for 'to sleep or rest'?

Answer: おやすみになります (o-yasumi ni narimasu)

おやすみになります uses the お〜になる sonkeigo pattern with 休み (rest/sleep), correctly elevating a superior's action.

Which is the most appropriate way to say 'May I ask you something?' to a superior?

Answer: お聞きしてもよろしいでしょうか

お聞きしてもよろしいでしょうか combines humble お聞きする with the polite よろしいでしょうか, making it appropriately formal for addressing a superior.

お目にかかる (o-me ni kakaru) is the humble form of which verb?

Answer: 会う (to meet)

お目にかかる is the kenjōgo form of 会う (to meet), used when the speaker humbly expresses meeting someone of higher status.

Which sentence correctly says 'I humbly received it' after being given something by a superior?

Answer: いただきました (itadakimashita)

いただきました is the kenjōgo past-tense form of もらう (to receive), used when the speaker humbly acknowledges receiving something from a superior.

What does the business keigo phrase ご連絡いたします (go-renraku itashimasu) mean?

Answer: I will humbly contact you

ご連絡いたします combines the polite ご prefix on 連絡 (contact) with the humble いたします, meaning 'I will humbly contact you.'

What is the key distinction between sonkeigo (尊敬語) and kenjōgo (謙譲語)?

Answer: Sonkeigo elevates others' actions; kenjōgo humbles the speaker's own actions toward superiors

Sonkeigo raises the status of the subject (usually a superior), while kenjōgo lowers the speaker's own status to show deference — they work in opposite directions.