What Is Keigo?
Keigo (敬語) is the system of honorific language in Japanese, used to express respect, social distance, and professional courtesy. It encompasses three main categories: teineigo (丁寧語, polite language), sonkeigo (尊敬語, respectful language used when referring to others’ actions), and kenjōgo (謙譲語, humble language used when referring to one’s own actions). Keigo appears in N2 and N1 reading and listening materials extensively, and N1 specifically tests grammatical keigo patterns.
Teineigo: Polite Language (All Levels)
Teineigo uses the desu/masu verb forms that most Japanese learners study first. This is the standard polite register used in everyday formal interactions, business settings, and JLPT exam passages. Mastering all verb conjugations in the masu form — including potential, passive, causative, conditional, and volitional forms in masu register — is essential for N3 and above.
Sonkeigo: Honoring Others’ Actions
Sonkeigo uses special verb forms when referring to the actions of superiors, customers, or respected persons. Key sonkeigo patterns: いらっしゃる (to be / to go / to come, honorific), おっしゃる (to say, honorific), なさる (to do, honorific), ご覧になる (to see, honorific), お～になる (general honorific action pattern: お読みになる = to read [honorific]). These patterns appear in N2 business reading texts and N1 formal dialogue listening tracks.
Kenjōgo: Humbling Your Own Actions
Kenjōgo lowers the speaker’s actions to show deference to the listener or the person being discussed. Key kenjōgo patterns: おります (humble form of います), 申す・申します (humble form of 言う), 参る (humble form of 行く/来る), いただく (humble form of もらう), 拝見する (humble form of 見る), ご～する (humble action pattern: ご連絡する = to contact [humble]). N1 grammar questions specifically test whether you can correctly identify and use kenjōgo patterns.
Keigo in JLPT N2 Reading Passages
N2 reading passages set in business or professional contexts use keigo throughout. You must understand when a passage is written in sonkeigo (referring to a customer or superior) versus kenjōgo (the speaker describing their own company’s actions). Misreading the social relationship between speakers is a common source of errors in N2 reading comprehension. Practise with authentic Japanese business correspondence and formal notices to develop keigo recognition speed.
Study Resources for Keigo
Shin Kanzen Master Grammar N1 covers all N1-level keigo patterns with practice questions. The book ビジネス敬語 (Business Keigo) by various publishers provides systematic coverage for professional Japanese contexts. Japanese dramas set in business environments (半沢直樹, リーガルハイ) expose you to natural keigo in extended dialogues. Online resources including JGram.org and Bunpro.jp categorise and drill keigo patterns by JLPT level.
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