Complete Keigo Guide (敬語):
Master 5 Types of Polite Japanese
Learn keigo end to end: 5 official categories — Sonkeigo, Kenjougo I & II, Teineigo, and Bikago — plus conversion tables, business dialogs, and practice.
Foundation
5 Official Keigo Categories
Since 2007, Japan’s official guidelines split keigo into five categories. Teineigo is the safe zone. Sonkeigo and kenjougo appear more often at work.
| Category | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sonkeigo (尊敬語) | Raise others | いらっしゃる |
| Kenjougo I (謙譲語I) | Humble toward a respected person | 伺う |
| Kenjougo II (謙譲語II) | General humble politeness | 参る・申す |
| Teineigo (丁寧語) | Polite to the listener | です・ます |
| Bikago (美化語) | Beautify words | お酒・お料理 |
Where to Start?
Six core steps — follow them in order before business and JLPT topics.
What Is Keigo?
Learn the official five-category system and when to use keigo.
Teineigo (丁寧語)
Basic polite speech: です・ます and when teineigo is enough.
Bikago (美化語)
Soften words with お and ご without changing the meaning.
Sonkeigo (尊敬語)
Raise the actions and state of other people.
Kenjougo I (謙譲語I)
Humble your own action directed at a respected person.
Kenjougo II / Teichougo
General humble polite speech (謙譲語II / 丁重語).
Catalog of 22 Keigo Lessons
Every article on this hub is ready to open and read.
What Is Keigo?
Learn the official five-category system and when to use keigo.
Teineigo (丁寧語)
Basic polite speech: です・ます and when teineigo is enough.
Bikago (美化語)
Soften words with お and ご without changing the meaning.
Sonkeigo (尊敬語)
Raise the actions and state of other people.
Kenjougo I (謙譲語I)
Humble your own action directed at a respected person.
Kenjougo II / Teichougo
General humble polite speech (謙譲語II / 丁重語).
Compare the 5 Categories
Side-by-side sonkeigo, kenjougo, teineigo, and bikago.
Keigo Conversion Table
30+ verbs across five categories — a quick-reference bookmark.
Honorific Nouns
Guide to お and ご prefixes on nouns.
二重敬語 vs 敬語連結
What is wrong, accepted, or correct.
12 Common Keigo Mistakes
Frequent errors and how to fix them.
Everyday Keigo
Keigo in shops, transit, and non-office talk.
Self-Introduction with Keigo
Formal self-introductions for offices and interviews.
Japanese Business Email
Email structure, must-know phrases, and ready templates.
Japanese Business Phone
Call scripts, uchi-soto, and receptionist phrases.
Keigo for Meetings & Presentations
Phrases to open, report, and close meetings.
Job Interview Keigo
Keigo for job interviews in Japan.
5 Business Keigo Dialogues
Office conversation drills with keigo labels.
Keigo for JLPT N3
Sonkeigo, kenjougo, and teineigo patterns tested at N3.
Keigo for JLPT N2
From basics to business level: させていただく and drills.
Keigo for JLPT N1
Advanced nuance and the highest exam-level keigo.
Keigo Practice: 25 Items
Conversion and situational dialogs with answer keys.