Keigo basics: polite Japanese for work

Keigo (敬語), polite Japanese, is what makes Japanese at work sound professional. It looks complicated, but most of it comes down to three ideas and a short list of verbs. Here’s what you need first.

The three kinds of keigo

• Teineigo (丁寧語), polite language. The です and ます forms you learn first. Use them with anyone you don’t know well.
• Sonkeigo (尊敬語), respectful language. Raises the other person. Use it for what customers, clients and senior colleagues do.
• Kenjōgo (謙譲語), humble language. Lowers yourself and your own company. Use it for what you do for others.

The rule of thumb: respectful for them, humble for you.

Verbs to learn first

Phrases you’ll use every day

• お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu): the standard opening line of a work email or call to someone outside your company.
• よろしくお願いいたします (yoroshiku onegai itashimasu): the standard closing line, roughly “thank you in advance”.
• 承知いたしました (shōchi itashimashita): “understood”. Safer than 了解しました with customers and senior colleagues.
• 恐れ入りますが (osore irimasu ga): a polite way to start a request, like “I’m sorry to trouble you, but…”.
• お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu): a greeting between colleagues. Avoid ご苦労様です towards seniors.

Common mistakes

• Using respectful forms about yourself, such as saying you いらっしゃる somewhere. Use the humble form, 参ります or おります.
• Double keigo, such as おっしゃられる. One respectful form is enough: おっしゃる.
• Raising your own boss to customers. When talking to someone outside your company, use humble forms for your own colleagues too, even senior ones.

Practise in context

Keigo becomes natural through use, not memorising lists. Role-playing real situations, such as phone calls, meetings and emails, with a tutor who corrects you on the spot is the quickest way to sound professional.