Keigo Conversion Table: 30+ Verbs across 5 Categories (Complete Reference)

This page is a quick reference with 30+ verbs converted into the five Keigo categories of the official 敬語けいごの指針ししん (2007). Bookmark it—you will come back often.

📌 How to use this table: Find the verb you want to convert in the first column, then read the column that matches your situation.

Legend

Before you read the table, learn the symbols:

Official Reference Standard

• Category labels follow 敬語けいごの指針ししん Chapter 2, Section 1 (尊敬語そんけいご / 謙譲語けんじょうごI / 謙譲語けんじょうごII / 丁寧語ていねいご / 美化語びかご).
• Verb data uses the five official Keigo columns plus plain form.

Difference: 謙譲語けんじょうごI vs II

📖 What is the difference? Full explanation →

Main Conversion Table (30 Verbs)

Core Verbs (1–10)

Core Verbs (11–20)

Pattern & Business Verbs (21–30)

Special Notes

Noun & Pronoun Conversion Table

Besides verbs, some nouns also have Keigo forms:

Formation Patterns: Quick Sheet

Not every verb has a special form. When none exists, use these patterns:

尊敬語そんけいご (Sonkeigo)

謙譲語けんじょうごI (Kenjougo I)

謙譲語けんじょうごII (Kenjougo II)

📖 Learn more about Sonkeigo → 📖 Learn more about Kenjougo I → 📖 Learn more about Kenjougo II →

How to Use This Table in 4 Steps

Use this order to build sentences from the table:

1. Decide the sentence subject
   Is the topic someone else (boss/client) or yourself?

2. Decide the action direction
   Your action toward a respected person (KI), or a polite self-report (KII)?

3. Pick the category column
   Only then take the form from Sonkeigo, KI, or KII.

4. Add the final register
   In business, close with ます/です. The tone stays consistent.

If you reverse this order (pick the word first, then the function), category mistakes become more common.

Verb Pairs Most Often Mixed Up

Use the main table as a quick check whenever you write email or a presentation script.

Mini Drill: Choose the Column

Pick the best category for each sentence:

1. "部長ぶちょうがもうすぐ ___。" (come)
   Answer: Sonkeigo → いらっしゃる

2. "明日あした、御社おんしゃへ ___。" (visit)
   Answer: Kenjougo I → 伺う

3. "明日あした、東京とうきょうへ ___。" (go)
   Answer: Kenjougo II → 参る

4. "資料しりょうを ___。" (explain to a client)
   Answer: Kenjougo I/KII formal blend → ご説明いたす

Short drills like this turn a passive table into active habit.

Conclusion

This table is a quick reference you can bookmark and open any time. Tips for using it:

1. Start with special verbs (🔵)—they show up most in real conversation.
2. ⚙️ patterns work for almost any verb without a special form.
3. Watch the KI vs KII difference—the wrong pick can change your meaning.
4. Nouns have Keigo forms too—especially important in business (御社おんしゃ vs 弊社へいしゃ).

Also Read:

• Introduction to Keigo (5 Official Categories)
• Teineigo (丁寧語)
• Bikago (美化語)
• Sonkeigo (尊敬語)
• Kenjougo I (謙譲語I)
• Kenjougo II (謙譲語II)
• Comparing the 5 Keigo Categories
• Complete Keigo Guide