ISORI

謙譲語(けんじょうご)

JLPT N3:

special humble verbs

Special verbs that replace ordinary ones when you describe your own actions, lowering yourself to show respect to the other person: 伺(うかが)う for 行(い)く, 申(もう)す for 言(い)う, and so on.

How to form it

  • Use them for your own actions, or those of your family or company, when speaking to or about someone you respect.
  • They replace the whole verb: 明日(あした)行(い)きます becomes 明日(あした)伺(うかが)います.

Examples

go, come
行(い)く / 来(く)る参(まい)る / 伺(うかが)う
say
言(い)う申(もう)す / 申(もう)し上(あ)げる
do
するいたす
see
見(み)る拝見(はいけん)する
receive, eat
もらう / 食(た)べるいただく
meet
会(あ)うお目(め)にかかる
know, think
知(し)る / 思(おも)う存(ぞん)じる

Example sentences

明日(あした)、伺(うかが)います。

I'll come and see you tomorrow.

お写真(しゃしん)を拝見(はいけん)しました。

I saw your photo.

Notes

  • 伺(うかが)う suggests visiting the other person, or asking them something. 参(まい)る simply makes your going or coming sound polite to the listener.
  • For other verbs, use お〜する.

Common mistakes

Similar meaning