Japanese Language
Keigo and Polite Language
Learn respectful, humble and polite forms, and which one each situation calls for.
Keigo is the distinctly Japanese machinery for carrying consideration for the other person in the words themselves. See whether you can pick the right register for each situation.
Take the keigo quizWhat keigo is
Keigo divides broadly into three: sonkeigo, which elevates the other person; kenjogo, which lowers yourself; and teineigo, which simply speaks politely. Confusing them can make you sound unintentionally rude, or simply odd. The key to using them correctly is keeping track of whose action you are describing, and from whose standpoint.
What you will learn here
You can check the distinction between the three forms and what each situation calls for, and you will start to catch common slips and doubled-up honorifics. It builds the foundation of language that working life requires — dealing with people, phone calls, email.
How to approach it
Start by checking the phrases you already use day to day. When sonkeigo and kenjogo blur together, focusing on who is performing the action sorts them out. Repeat while watching your accuracy rate, and the expressions you can use with confidence steadily grow.
Pick a set and start
5 sets · 50 questionsYour results are saved on this device. Start with a single set.
Japanese Honorifics and Word Choice | Respectful, Humble and Workplace Expressions, Set 1
10 questionsNot attempted
Japanese Honorifics Quiz | Double Honorifics, Potential Forms, and Customer Service Language, Standard Set 2
10 questionsNot attempted
Japanese Honorifics Quiz | Using Mousu, Zonjiru, and Itadaku in Practice, Set 3
10 questionsNot attempted
Japanese Honorifics Quiz | Forms of Address, In-Group and Out-Group Language, and Requests, Practical Set 4
10 questionsNot attempted
Japanese Honorifics Quiz | Direction of Deference, Possessions, and Third-Party Actions, Advanced Set 5
10 questionsNot attempted