Keigo (Jee In Chung)

When I first arrived in Japan, every time I visited small shops, convenience stores or big department stores, I sensed that the clerks were using a different form of Japanese language to me than the ones I used with my classmates or friends. Although they seemed like they were implying the same meanings, different types of words were being used. This had really confused me at first because I have never learned in it my Japanese textbooks. As I got into higher level of Japanese classes, I realized that depending on the situation, Japanese people use “Keigo” (敬語) which in direct translation is “Honorific speech in Japanese”. The use of “Keigo”(敬語) was to show respect to elders or guests in many social situations. Because I’m from South Korea and we have a similar type of speech like “Keigo”, the concept was relatively easy to understand; However, learning and memorizing “Keigo” was a rather difficult step.

            Although it is not required for the okyakusama (guest) to speak to the clerk in Keigo, there is no reason why I couldn’t try practicing with them. So when I first arrived to Waseda University, I decided to take the optional class of Beginners Keigo. Because the concept was rather similar to Korean keigo, I thought that I would have an easier time understand and studying keigo compared to other English speaking students. But I was wrong. Japanese Keigo turned out to be much more complicated. It is composed in three types which are sonkeigo (尊敬語), respectful language; kenjōgo (謙譲語), humble language (or "modest language") and teineigo (丁寧語), polite language.

            In my daily life, sonkeigo (尊敬語) is used the most in shops or stores. sonkeigo (尊敬語) is used when talking about superiors or customers. It cannot be used when talking about oneself. So for an example, if I enter a coffee shop and order a bagel, the worker will ask me whether I will eat the bagel right away or if it’s for to go. The worker will use the word召しあがる meshi-agaru instead of saying食べる taberu (to eat).  Because I don’t plan to work in Japan, it is not crucial for me to master the use of sonkeigo (尊敬語); however it is essential for me to understand what is being said because it is used constantly around me in shops or stores.

            I tend to use kenjōgo (謙譲語) more than sonkeigo (尊敬語). In direct translation kenjōgo (謙譲語) means “Humble lanugauge” and it is used to lower my own position rather than lifting up the others’ like Sonkeigo. So for an example, when I was invited to a friends’ house for Christmas dinner, before eating, I said itadakimasu (いただきます) which is a well-used phrase in Japan before eating or drinking.

            Keigo can be a rather difficult concept to grasp when first coming to Japan because it is such a unique form of language. Also, it is a form of language one will natural be able to grasp because of its frequent use in public. Japanese people also start studying the use of Keigo when they start job-hunting in their junior or senior year because the role of Keigo is extremely important and strict in business settings. In schools, Keigo is not very often used.