Keigo Basics for Work
Learn the three types of keigo (respectful, humble and polite language) and choose the right form for clients and colleagues.
N3 Topic-Based Conversation — Business Email & Phone Etiquette · All lessons · All courses
Vocabulary
- 敬語（けいご） (敬語): honorific language, polite speech
- 尊敬語（そんけいご） (尊敬語): respectful language (for others' actions)
- 謙譲語（けんじょうご） (謙譲語): humble language (for one's own actions)
- 丁寧語（ていねいご） (丁寧語): polite language (です・ます)
- お客様（おきゃくさま） (お客様): customer, client (polite)
- 上司（じょうし） (上司): boss, superior
- 取引先（とりひきさき） (取引先): business partner, client company
- 社外（しゃがい） (社外): outside the company
- 社内（しゃない） (社内): inside the company
- 伺う（うかがう） (伺う): to visit, to ask (humble)
- いらっしゃる: to be, to come, to go (respectful)
- おっしゃる: to say (respectful)
- 申す（もうす） (申す): to say, to be called (humble)
- 存じる（ぞんじる） (存じる): to know (humble)
Kanji
In-lesson practice
- Keigo Basics for Work — Exercises (6 questions)
Related JLPT N3 quizzes
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 31 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 30 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 29 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 28 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 27 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 26 (9 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 25 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 24 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 23 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 22 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 21 (10 questions)
- JLPT N3 – Kanji Exercise 20 (10 questions)
Frequently asked questions
- What does 「敬語（けいご）」 mean in this lesson?
- honorific language, polite speech
- What does 「尊敬語（そんけいご）」 mean in this lesson?
- respectful language (for others' actions)
- What does 「謙譲語（けんじょうご）」 mean in this lesson?
- humble language (for one's own actions)
- What does 「丁寧語（ていねいご）」 mean in this lesson?
- polite language (です・ます)
- What does 「お客様（おきゃくさま）」 mean in this lesson?
- customer, client (polite)
- What does 「上司（じょうし）」 mean in this lesson?
- boss, superior
- What does 「取引先（とりひきさき）」 mean in this lesson?
- business partner, client company
- What does 「社外（しゃがい）」 mean in this lesson?
- outside the company
- What does 「社内（しゃない）」 mean in this lesson?
- inside the company
- What does 「伺う（うかがう）」 mean in this lesson?
- to visit, to ask (humble)
- What does 「いらっしゃる」 mean in this lesson?
- to be, to come, to go (respectful)
- What does 「おっしゃる」 mean in this lesson?
- to say (respectful)
- What does 「申す（もうす）」 mean in this lesson?
- to say, to be called (humble)
- What does 「存じる（ぞんじる）」 mean in this lesson?
- to know (humble)
- What is the meaning of kanji 「敬」 (けい)?
- respect (敬語)
- What is the meaning of kanji 「語」 (ご)?
- language, word
- What is the meaning of kanji 「上」 (じょう)?
- above, superior (上司)
- What is the meaning of kanji 「司」 (し)?
- manage (上司)
- What is the meaning of kanji 「客」 (きゃく)?
- guest, customer (お客様)
- What is the meaning of kanji 「様」 (さま)?
- honorific suffix
- What is the meaning of kanji 「申」 (もう)?
- to say (申す)
- What is the meaning of kanji 「伺」 (うかが)?
- to visit, to ask (伺う)
- 社長はもう（ ）なりました。
- 尊敬語「お〜になります」: 帰る → お帰りになります.
- 私が資料を（ ）いたします。
- 謙譲語「お〜いたします」: 送る → お送りいたします.