「〜ていらっしゃる」- Honorific Expression

Explanation

〜ていらっしゃる is a Japanese grammatical form used to express respect when describing someone else's actions, states, or behaviors. It is the honorific form of 〜ています and is commonly used in formal situations or when showing respect to others.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + で + いらっしゃる	Noun + で	Used to inquire about or describe someone's identity or state.
い-Adjective Stem + くて + いらっしゃる	い-Adjective Stem + くて	Used to describe someone's state or characteristics.
な-Adjective Stem + で + いらっしゃる	な-Adjective Stem + で	Used to describe someone's state or characteristics.
Verb て-form + いらっしゃる	Verb て-form	Used to describe someone's actions or states.

Basic Usage

〜ていらっしゃる is primarily used to show respect toward the person being spoken to or a third party. Specific uses include:

• Describing someone's ongoing state or action: the honorific form of 〜ている.
• Describing someone's recently completed action: the honorific form of 〜ていた.
• Describing someone's habitual action: the honorific form of 〜ている.

Examples

• 佐藤さとう教授きょうじゅは東ひがしアジアあじあの経済けいざいについて研究けんきゅうしていらっしゃいます。
• Sato kyōju wa higashi ajia no keizai ni tsuite kenkyuu shite irasshaimasu.
• Professor Sato is researching East Asian economics.
  

• 中田なかたさんでいらっしゃいますか？
• Nakata-san de irasshaimasu ka?
• Are you Mr. Nakata?
  

Deep Dive

Basic Structure

〜ていらっしゃる is primarily used in honorific expressions to show respect for actions. Its basic structure is:

• Verb て-form + いらっしゃる

Usage Scenarios

• Describing respectful actions or states:
  • 彼かれは今いま、家いえに帰かえっていらっしゃいます。
  • Kare wa ima, ie ni kaette irasshaimasu.
  • He is currently returning home.
    
• Describing respectful past actions:
  • 先生せんせいは昨日きのうからここに泊とまっていらっしゃいます。
  • Sensei wa kinou kara koko ni tomatte irasshaimasu.
  • The teacher has been staying here since yesterday.
    
• Describing respectful habitual actions:
  • 母ははは毎朝まいあさ、散歩さんぽに行いっていらっしゃいます。
  • Haha wa maiasa, sanpo ni itte irasshaimasu.
  • My mother goes for a walk every morning.
    

Comparison and Differences

「〜ています」and「〜ていらっしゃる」

〜ています is used to describe one's own actions or states, while 〜ていらっしゃる is used to respectfully describe someone else's actions or states.

• 彼かれは勉強べんきょうしています。
• Kare wa benkyou shiteimasu.
• He is studying.
  

• 彼かれは勉強べんきょうしていらっしゃいます。
• Kare wa benkyou shite irasshaimasu.
• He is studying. (Respectful)
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• In business meetings:
  • 田中たなか部長ぶちょうは新あたらしいプロジェクトぷろじぇくとについて説明せつめいしていらっしゃいます。
  • Tanaka buchou wa atarashii purojekuto ni tsuite setsumei shite irasshaimasu.
  • Manager Tanaka is explaining the new project.
    
• In formal settings:
  • お客様きゃくさまが到着とうちゃくしていらっしゃいます。
  • Okyakusama ga touchaku shite irasshaimasu.
  • The guest has arrived.
    

Summary

〜ていらっしゃる is a common honorific expression in Japanese, primarily used to describe someone else's actions, states, or habits. This form allows for appropriate expression of respect and politeness toward others. It is especially important in formal settings or when addressing elders, superiors, or others deserving of respect.