Kenjougo II / Teichougo (謙譲語II): Polite Self-Reference

“東京とうきょうに行いきます” (I go to Tokyo) already sounds polite, right? In Japanese business, there is a more polite way: “東京とうきょうに参まいります.” The difference? “参まいる” is Kenjougo II—a polite way to talk about yourself without needing a respected person as the action’s target.

This Keigo category is often skipped because it looks like Kenjougo I. In practice the jobs are very different.

謙譲語けんじょうごII とは？ (What Is Kenjougo II?)

Kenjougo II (also called 丁重語ていちょうご / Teichougo) is Keigo used to report your own actions politely to the listener. Unlike Kenjougo I, there is no need for a respected person as the action’s target.

💡 From the 敬語けいごの指針ししん: Kenjougo II (Teichougo) works like Teineigo—it shows politeness to the listener—but by humbling your own action, not merely adding です/ます.

Place in the 5-Category Keigo System

Why It Was Split from Kenjougo I

This is the core of the 3 → 5 category change. In the old system, 伺うかがう (visit a teacher) and 参まいる (go to Tokyo) were both labeled “Kenjougo.” Their functions clearly differ:

Special Kenjougo II Verbs (Must Memorize)

Kenjougo II has fewer special verbs than Kenjougo I:

⚠️ Caution: いただく and 申もうす can be Kenjougo I or II by context. Key: is there a respected target?

• 先生せんせいにいただく → Kenjougo I (receive from a teacher = has a target)
• お茶ちゃをいただく → Kenjougo II (eat/drink = polite about yourself)

Kenjougo II vs Teineigo: What Differs?

Both are “polite to the listener,” but the level differs:

Note that Kenjougo II often combines with ます (Teineigo): 参まいります, おります, いたします.

Example Sentences

Example 1: Going to Tokyo (business) 明日あした、東京とうきょうに参ります。 Ashita, Toukyou ni mairimasu. Tomorrow I will go to Tokyo.

Example 2: Self-introduction in a meeting 田中たなかと申もうします。 Tanaka to moushimasu. My name is Tanaka.

Example 3: Saying you are in the office はい、田中たなかはおります。 Hai, Tanaka wa orimasu. Yes, Tanaka is here.

Example 4: Offering help 何なにかいたしましょうか。 Nanika itashimashou ka. Is there anything I can do?

Example 5: Knowing information はい、存ぞんじております。 Hai, zonjite orimasu. Yes, I know that.

Diagram: When to Use Kenjougo I vs II?

Quick decision path:

• Is my action directed at a respected person?
  • YES → Use Kenjougo I (伺うかがう, いただく, 申もうし上あげる…)
    • Example: 先生せんせいに伺うかがう (visit a teacher)
  • NO → Use Kenjougo II (参まいる, おる, 申もうす, いたす…)
    • Example: 東京とうきょうに参まいる (go to Tokyo)

Kenjougo II in Business

Kenjougo II appears constantly in everyday business phrases:

Most Common KII Sentence Patterns

If you only have time for a short list, learn these first:

These five cover most phone, email, and front-desk interactions.

KII vs KI vs Teineigo: Decision Summary

When unsure:

1. My action toward a respected person?
   → Kenjougo I.

2. My own action, no special respected target, but I want a professional tone?
   → Kenjougo II.

3. Only everyday politeness?
   → Teineigo.

Three Distinguishing Examples

A. “I will come to your company.”
✅ 御社おんしゃへ伺います。 (KI: toward a respected side)

B. “I will come to the office tomorrow morning.”
✅ 明日あした朝あさ、会社かいしゃへ参ります。 (KII)

C. “I arrive at 9.”
✅ 9時じに行いきます。 (Teineigo, enough for a neutral context)

Phone Phrases Built on KII (Templates)

Templates you can use immediately.

When receiving a call:

• お電話でんわありがとうございます。株式会社かぶしきがいしゃ青空あおぞらでございます。
• 営業部えいぎょうぶの田中たなかは、ただいま席せきを外しております。
• 戻もどり次第しだい、折り返しいたします。

When calling someone else:

• 私わたし、株式会社かぶしきがいしゃ青空あおぞらの田中たなかと申します。
• ただいま、少すこしお時間じかんをいただけますでしょうか。
• 資料しりょうの件けんでご連絡いたしました。

Templates like these keep your register consistent.

Mini Correction Drill

1. ❌ 先生せんせいが参まいりました。
   ✅ 先生せんせいがいらっしゃいました。
   Reason: the subject is a respected person, so Sonkeigo.

2. ❌ 大阪おおさかに伺うかがいます。
   ✅ 大阪おおさかに参まいります。
   Reason: only going to a place, not a respected human target.

3. ❌ 私わたしがいらっしゃいます。
   ✅ 私わたしがおります。
   Reason: never use Sonkeigo for yourself.

Short correction drills help long-term memory.

KII Checklist for Business Talk

To keep KII consistent, check quickly before you speak:

1. I am reporting my own action formally (not a superior’s action).
2. The sentence does not need direction toward a respected party (if it does, switch to KI).
3. The verb matches a KII pair: 参る, 申す, おる, いたす.
4. The closing register stays tidy with ます/です when needed.

If these four points hold, your sentence is usually safe for meetings, phone calls, and interviews.

New Vocabulary

Conclusion

1. Kenjougo II (Teichougo) is Keigo for politely talking about yourself without a respected target.
2. Main difference from Kenjougo I: no respected person is required as the action’s target.
3. Core verbs: 参まいる (go), おる (be), 申もうす (say), いたす (do), ございます (exist/things).
4. Kenjougo II often combines with ます: 参まいります, おります, いたします.
5. Essential in Japanese business—introductions, phone calls, and email all use Kenjougo II.

Foundation Navigation:

• Previous: Kenjougo I (謙譲語I)
• Next: Keigo Conversion Table

Also Read:

• Kenjougo I (謙譲語I): Humble Yourself to Honor the Other Person
• Sonkeigo (尊敬語): Honorific Language That Elevates Others
• Keigo Conversion Table (30+ Verbs)
• Complete Keigo Guide

You have finished the six foundation articles on the five official Keigo categories. Next, review all conversions in one place in the Keigo Conversion Table—a quick reference worth saving.