「お/ご～なさる」- Honorific Expression

Explanation

In Japanese, honorific language is often used to show respect to others. 「お/ご～なさる」 is a common honorific expression used to convey respect and politeness toward someone else's actions.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
お + Group 1 Verb ます-form + なさる	Group 1 Verb ます-form + なさる	Used to show respect for someone's actions, applicable to Group 1 verbs.
ご + Group 2 Verb Stem + なさる	Group 2 Verb Stem + なさる	Used to show respect for someone's actions, applicable to Group 2 verbs.

Basic Usage

「お/ご～なさる」 is used to describe the actions of others (usually superiors, clients, etc.) to show respect. Generally, お is added before native Japanese verbs, while ご is added before Sino-Japanese verbs. This expression is still used in formal settings.

Examples

• 部長ぶちょうは新しん企画きかくについてお話はなしなさいます。
• Buchou wa shin kikaku ni tsuite ohanashi nasaimasu.
• The department head will discuss the new project.
  

• 佐藤さとうさんは著書ちょしょを多数たすうご執筆しっぴつなさっています。
• Sato-san wa chosho o tasuu goshippitsu nasatteimasu.
• Mr. Sato has authored numerous books.
  

• 先生せんせいは日本文学にほんぶんがくをご研究けんきゅうなさっています。
• Sensei wa Nihon bungaku o gokenkyuu nasatteimasu.
• The teacher is researching Japanese literature.
  

• 明日あしたからご旅行りょこうなさるそうですね。どちらに行いかれるんですか？
• Ashita kara goryokou nasaru sou desu ne. Dochira ni ikareru n desu ka?
• I heard you’re going on a trip starting tomorrow. Where are you heading?
  

Deep Dive

「お/ご～なさる」 is a type of honorific expression that transforms ordinary verbs into respectful forms to show deference to someone else's actions. This structure is often used in formal settings, especially in business or social contexts, to demonstrate respect and politeness.

Comparison and Differences

「お/ご～なさる」 vs. 「お/ご～になる」

• 「お/ご～なさる」 emphasizes the action being performed.
• 「お/ご～になる」 focuses on the result or state change of the action.

Expression	Meaning	Example
お帰かえりなさい	Please go back (emphasizes the action)	お帰かえりなさい。
お帰かえりになる	You go back (emphasizes the result)	お帰かえりになります。

「お/ご～なさる」 vs. 「お/ご～する」

• 「お/ご～する」 is humble language, used to lower the status of one's own actions.
• 「お/ご～なさる」 is honorific language, used to elevate the status of someone else's actions.

Expression	Meaning	Example
私わたしはお手伝てつだいします。	I will help.	私わたしはお手伝てつだいします。
部長ぶちょうはお手伝てつだいなさいます。	The department head will help.	部長ぶちょうはお手伝てつだいなさいます。

Fixed Expressions

Some fixed expressions still use the 「お/ご～なさる」 form in modern Japanese. Common examples include:

• お目めにかかる (to meet someone)
• お休やすみなさい (good night)

Real-Life Scenarios

• Using honorific expressions when reporting to superiors in business meetings.
• Using 「お/ご～なさる」 when communicating with clients in formal settings.

Summary

「お/ご～なさる」 is an important Japanese grammatical structure for expressing respect. Although its usage has declined in modern times, it remains significant in formal contexts. Mastering this expression helps enhance the politeness of your language and deepens your understanding of Japanese honorifics.