In business, people converse using keigo; that is honorific speech.
Keigo is a language that demonstrates respect towards others.
It is used for dealing with customers, superiors, or for people you’re meeting for the first time.
Keigo comprises of teineigo (polite language), kenjougo (humble language), and sonkeigo (respectful language).
To demonstrate politeness and sophistication, teineigo adds the “desu,” “masu” form at the end of sentences and the prefixes “o” or “go” to nouns – e.g. “ohenji (reply)” or “gokigen (well-being).”
Generally the “o” prefix is used for traditional Japanese words (those with a “kun” reading), and the “go” prefix for kanji words (those with an “on” reading).
These prefixes are added to the things pertaining to or deeds of the person you’re speaking with, for example, “odenwa” (telephone) “gokazoku” (your family) and “oyomi ni naru” (you read).
Basically, they are not added to things pertaining to yourself (the speaker).
However, the prefix is added if it’s something pertaining to yourself, but also involves the conduct towards the person you’re talking to; for example “goshoukai” (introduction), “goannai” (information), or “ohenji” (reply).
Kenjougo demonstrates respect for others by modestly referring to your own actions and belongings.
For example, “tabemasu” (I eat) is changed to “itadakimasu,” and “ikimasu” (I go) is “oukagai shimasu.”
Sonkeigo is a form of language that demonstrates deference, to the person you’re addressing or for a topic, through the use of respectful words.
For example, “iimasu” (to speak) is changed to “osshaimasu” and “kimasu” (to come) is “irasshaimasu.”
These words, altered into a particular form, are often used in business.
ビジネス
bijinesu
business
敬語を
keigo wo
(that is) honorific speech
会話をします。
kaiwa wo shimasu.
(people) converse
相手を
aite wo
towards others
敬っていることを
uyamatte iru koto wo
respect
表現する
hyougenn suru
(that) demonstrates
言葉づかい
kotoba zukai
(a) language
目上の人、
meue no hito,
superiors
初めて
hajimete
for the first time
に対して
ni taishite
for (dealing with)
使います。
tsukai masu.
(it) is used
丁寧語、
teineigo,
polite language
謙譲語、
kennjyougo,
humble language
尊敬語が
sonnkeigo ga
(and) respectful language
あります。
arimasu.
comprises of
丁寧語は、
teineigo ha,
teineigo
丁寧さ
teineisa
politeness
上品さを
jyouhinnsa wo
sophistication
表すために、
arawasu tame ni,
to demonstrate
文末を
bunnmatsu wo
at the end of sentences
にしたり、
ni shitari,
adds <make> and
「お返事」
ohennji
ohenji (reply)
「ご機嫌」
gokigenn
(or) gokigen (well-being)
はじめに
hajime ni
(the) prefixes
つけたりします。
tsuketari shimasu.
[add]
一般的に
ippannteki ni
generally
「お」は
o ha
(the) o (prefix)
古来からの
korai no
traditional
(訓読み語)
kunnyomi go
those with a kun reading
「ご」は
go ha
(the) go (prefix)
(音読み語)
onnyomi go
those with an on reading
使われます。
tsukaware masu.
is used
「お電話」
odennwa
odenwa (telephone)
「ご家族」
gokazoku
gokazoku (your family)
「お読みになる」
oyomininaru
(and) oyomi ni naru (you read)
相手
aite
(the) person (you’re speaking with)
関するもの
kannsuru mono
pertaining
つけます。
tsuke masu.
(these prefixes) are added
基本的に、
kihonnteki ni,
basically
自分
jibunn
yourself (the speaker)
つけません。
tsukemasenn.
(they) are not added
「ご紹介」
goshoukai
goshoukai (introduction)
「ご案内」
goannnai
goannai (information)
「お返事」
ohennji
(or) ohenji (reply)
こと
koto
(it)’s something pertaining
相手に
aite ni
(the) person you’re talking to
行為には
koui niha
(involves the) conduct
つけます。
tsuke masu.
(the prefix) is added
謙譲語は、
kennjyougo ha,
kenjougo
へりくだった
herikudatta
modestly
言葉に言いかえること
kotoba ni iikaeru koto
referring to <rephrasing>
表します。
arawashi masu.
demonstrate
例えば、
tatoeba,
for example
「食」べますは
tabemasu ha
tabemasu (I eat)
「いただきます」、
itadakimasu,
itadakimasu
「行きます」は
ikimasu ha
(and) ikimasu (I go)
「お伺いします」
oukagai simasu
(is) oukagai shimasu
かえます。
kae masu.
is changed
尊敬語は
sonnkeigo ha
sonkeigo
相手
aite
(the) person you’re addressing
話題に出てくる
wadai ni detekuru
for a topic
尊敬を表す
sonnkei wo arawasu
respectful
表現を
hyougenn wo
through words <expression>
使って
tsukatte
(the) use (of)
敬意を
keii wo
deference <respect>
表す
arawasu
(that) demonstrates
言葉
kotoba
(a form of) language
例えば、
tatoeba,
for example
「言います」は
iimasu ha
iimasu (to speak)
「おっしゃいます」、
ossyaimasu,
osshaimasu
「来」ますは
kimasu ha
(and) kimasu (to come)
「いらっしゃいます」
irasshaimasu
(is) irasshaimasu
特別な
tokubetsu na
particular
言いかえる
iikaeru
altered into
ビジネス
bijinesu
business
使います。
tsukaimasu.
are used