Sonkeigo (尊敬語): Honorific Language That Elevates Others

Your boss just arrived at the office. You want to say “Please sit”—but which Japanese is right? Is “座すわってください” enough? Not quite. In Japanese workplaces you need “お掛おかけになってください” or even “お掛おかけください.”

This is Sonkeigo (尊敬語そんけいご)—honorific language used to elevate others. Among the five Keigo categories, Sonkeigo is the main tool for showing respect to bosses, customers, and teachers.

尊敬語そんけいご とは？ (What Is Sonkeigo?)

尊敬語そんけいご combines 尊そん (respect) + 敬けい (honor) + 語ご (language). It elevates another person’s actions, state, or possessions—usually a superior, customer, teacher, or senior.

💡 Core principle: In Sonkeigo you raise the other person. You are not humbling yourself (that is Kenjougo)—you elevate them.

Place in the 5-Category Keigo System

3 Ways to Form Sonkeigo

Three paths, from most common to most formal:

Method 1: Special Sonkeigo Verbs (Must Memorize)

Some verbs have entirely different honorific forms. Memorize these.

Method 2: お〜になる Pattern (Most Versatile)

When a verb has no special form, use:

お + [masu-stem] + になる

💡 Sino-Japanese (漢語) often use ご: ご利用りようになる (use), ご出発しゅっぱつになる (depart)

Method 3: Passive (〜れる / 〜られる)

Easiest, but lowest formality:

⚠️ Caution: Passive forms can be ambiguous—“食たべられる” may mean “be eaten” or honorific “eat.” Context decides. In business, Method 1 or 2 is safer.

Sonkeigo Formality Levels

Example Sentences

Example 1: Boss arrives 部長ぶちょうがいらっしゃいました。 Buchou ga irasshaimashita. The manager has arrived.

Example 2: Teacher speaks 先生せんせいがおっしゃった通とおりです。 Sensei ga osshatta toori desu. Just as the teacher said.

Example 3: Customer looks どうぞ、ご覧らんください。 Douzo, goran kudasai. Please take a look.

Example 4: Boss reads (お〜になる) 社長しゃちょうがこの資料しりょうをお読よみになりました。 Shachou ga kono shiryou o oyomi ni narimashita. The president has read this document.

Example 5: Offering a seat どうぞお掛けになってください。 Douzo okake ni natte kudasai. Please have a seat.

Sonkeigo vs Kenjougo: Do Not Swap Them

This is a fatal mix-up. Sonkeigo is for others; Kenjougo is for yourself.

⚠️ Golden rule: Never use Sonkeigo for yourself—it sounds boastful. Never use Kenjougo for a superior—it lowers them.

📖 Learn Kenjougo I (謙譲語I) →

Sonkeigo at Work

High-frequency office phrases:

Quick Flowchart: Which Sonkeigo?

1. Does the verb have a special Sonkeigo form?
   If yes, prefer it (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, 召めし上あがる).

2. If not, can you use お/ご〜になる?
   Usually the safest choice for meetings, email, and formal business talk.

3. When is passive OK?
   Only when context is clear and you do not need high formality.

Quick Examples

• 部長ぶちょうが来こられました。
  Correct, but lighter.

• 部長ぶちょうがいらっしゃいました。
  More natural for business; often the first choice.

• 部長ぶちょうがお越こしになりました。
  Very formal; good for official announcements.

Mini Office Dialogue (with Category Notes)

Scene: reception tells staff a client has arrived.

A: 田中たなか様さまがいらっしゃいました。
Tanaka-sama ga irasshaimashita.
Mr. Tanaka has arrived.
(Category: Sonkeigo)

B: ありがとうございます。すぐに担当たんとうを呼よびます。
Arigatou gozaimasu. Sugu ni tantou o yobimasu.
Thank you. I will call the person in charge right away.
(Category: Teineigo)

A: 会議室かいぎしつへお通しします。
Kaigishitsu e otooshi shimasu.
I will show them into the meeting room.
(Category: Kenjougo I)

Short dialogues show that at work, Sonkeigo almost always pairs with other categories.

Correction Drill

Fix each sentence before checking the answer:

1. ❌ 私わたしがいらっしゃいます。
   ✅ 私わたしはおります。

2. ❌ 社長しゃちょうが参まいりました。
   ✅ 社長しゃちょうがいらっしゃいました。

3. ❌ 先生せんせいにおっしゃいました。
   ✅ 先生せんせいに申もうし上あげました。

4. ❌ 部長ぶちょうがお見みします。
   ✅ 部長ぶちょうがご覧らんになります。

Correction drills prevent fatal mistakes in interviews and presentations.

Quick Checklist Before You Speak

Check two things: who is the subject (respected person or not), and whether your form is truly Sonkeigo or still neutral. That habit stops many formal slip-ups.

New Vocabulary

Conclusion

1. Sonkeigo elevates others—bosses, customers, teachers.
2. Three methods: special verbs (highest), お〜になる (flexible), passive (lightest).
3. Special verbs such as いらっしゃる, 召めし上あがる, おっしゃる are must-memorize.
4. Do not swap Sonkeigo (for others) and Kenjougo (for yourself).
5. お〜になる is the reliable backup for almost any verb.

Foundation navigation:

• Previous: Bikago (美化語)
• Next: Kenjougo I (謙譲語I)

Also read:

• Kenjougo I (謙譲語I): Humble Yourself Toward the Respected Person
• Kenjougo II (謙譲語II): Polite Self-Reference
• Complete Keigo Guide

Next, study Kenjougo I (謙譲語けんじょうごI)—humble language when your action is directed toward a respected person. The essential partner of Sonkeigo.