Vocabulary
Travel-related Words
下見[したみ]⓪ Pre-inspection, preliminary check, noun
明日の会場を下見します。
Ashita no kaijō o shitami shimasu.
I will inspect the venue tomorrow.
下調べ[したしらべ]⓪ Preliminary research, noun
旅行前に下調べをしておきます。
Ryokō mae ni shitashirabe o shite okimasu.
I will do some research before the trip.
下書き[したがき]⓪ Draft, noun
レポートの下書きを書きました。
Repōto no shitagaki o kakimashita.
I wrote a draft of the report.
スタッフ② Staff, noun
スタッフのみなさん、お疲れ様です。
Sutaffu no minasan, otsukaresama desu.
Thank you for your hard work, everyone.
チェックインする④ Check-in, verb
ホテルにチェックインしました。
Hoteru ni chekkuin shimashita.
I checked in at the hotel.
直行[ちょっこう]する⓪ Go directly, verb
空港からホテルに直行します。
Kūkō kara hoteru ni chokkō shimasu.
I will go directly from the airport to the hotel.
先[さき]ほど⓪ Just now (more formal than さき), adverb
先ほどお電話いたしました。
Sakihodo o-denwa itashimashita.
I called you just now.
Supplementary Honorific Verbs
おっしゃいます⓪ Base form おっしゃる = 言う, verb
社長がおっしゃいました。
Shachō ga osshaimashita.
The president said.
いらっしゃいます⓪ Base form いらっしゃる = いる・行く・来る, verb
先生がいらっしゃいました。
Sensei ga irasshaimashita.
The teacher came.
おいでになります⓪ Base form おいでになる = いる・行く・来る, verb
社長がおいでになりました。
Shachō ga oide ni narimashita.
The president came.
なさいます⓪ Base form なさる = する, verb
社長が会議をなさいました。
Shachō ga kaigi o nasaimashita.
The president held a meeting.
くださいます⓪ Base form くださる = くれる, verb
先生が本をくださいました。
Sensei ga hon o kudasaimashita.
The teacher gave me a book.
Grammar Points
1. Principles of Using Honorifics
Honorifics are a crucial part of Japanese, especially in the workplace and formal settings. When using honorifics, the following principles should be followed:
| Principle | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hierarchy Principle | Those of lower status use honorifics when addressing those of higher status, or younger people to elders. | 社長に報告します → 社長にご報告します |
| In-group/Out-group Principle | In-group: People with shared interests with the speaker. | 社内では敬語を使わない場合も |
| Compound Verb Principle | When using multiple verbs, the honorific is applied to the last verb. | 帰っていらっしゃいます |
2. Categories of Honorifics
Honorifics are mainly divided into three categories: respectful language, humble language, and polite language. Each type is used in different contexts and with different people.
| Type | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Respectful Language | Elevates the other person, focusing on them. | おっしゃる、いらっしゃる |
| Humble Language | Lowers oneself, focusing on the speaker. | 申し上げる、いたす |
| Polite Language | Basic politeness. | です、ます |
3. Expressions of Respectful Language
Respectful language is the most commonly used type of honorific, expressing respect for the other person. Below are some common forms of respectful language:
（1）お／ご～になります
This form is used to describe the actions of the other person, showing respect.
| Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|
| お＋Verb 1 / Verb 2 (remove ます) + になります | お泊りになります |
| ご＋Verb 3 stem + になります | ご出席になります |
Note: This form does not apply to verbs with only one syllable before 「ます」 (e.g., 来ます・寝ます・見ます).
- 有名な作家がこの旅館にお泊りになりました。
- Yūmei na sakka ga kono ryokan ni o-tomari ni narimashita.
- A famous writer stayed at this inn.
- この夏はどちらにお出かけになりますか。
- Kono natsu wa dochira ni o-dekake ni narimasu ka.
- Where will you go this summer?
（2）お／ご～ください
This form is used to request the other person to do something, showing respect.
| Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|
| お＋Verb 1 / Verb 2 (remove ます) + ください | お書きください |
| ご＋Verb 3 stem + ください | ご注意ください |
Note: This form does not apply to verbs with only one syllable before 「ます」 (e.g., 来ます・寝ます・見ます).
- ご注意ください。
- Go-chūi kudasai.
- Please be careful.
- こちらにお名前をお書きください。
- Kochira ni o-namae o o-kaki kudasai.
- Please write your name here.
（3）～（ら）れる
This form uses the passive form of the verb to show respect, though it is less respectful than the previous forms.
- 先生はもうこの本を読まれましたか。
- Sensei wa mō kono hon o yomaremashita ka.
- Has the teacher already read this book?
- 部長がお客様の前に座られました。
- Buchō ga o-kyaku-sama no mae ni suwaremashita.
- The manager sat in front of the guest.
（4）Honorific Verbs (Respectful Language)
Japanese has special honorific verbs used to show respect. These verbs are more respectful than other forms.
- いらっしゃる、なさる、おっしゃる、くださる、ござる
Level of Respect: Special Honorific Verbs > お/ご～になる > ～（ら）れる
Dialogue Practice
Workplace
A: 社長は明日から九州へ出張されますか。
A: Shachō wa ashita kara Kyūshū e shucchō saremasu ka.
A: Is the president going on a business trip to Kyushu starting tomorrow?
B: はい、社長は明日から九州へ出張されます。
B: Hai, shachō wa ashita kara Kyūshū e shucchō saremasu.
B: Yes, the president is going on a business trip to Kyushu starting tomorrow.
Daily Life
A: この傘はどなたのですか。
A: Kono kasa wa donata no desu ka.
A: Whose umbrella is this?
B: それは社長のです。
B: Sore wa shachō no desu.
B: That is the president's.
Cultural Knowledge
Honorific Culture
Usage Scenarios of Honorifics: In Japan, honorifics are widely used in the workplace, business settings, and formal social occasions to show respect to others.
Complexity of Honorifics: The Japanese honorific system is complex, divided into respectful, humble, and polite language, and must be used flexibly depending on the situation and the person.
Summary and Key Points
This lesson focused on the principles and expressions of honorifics, including the differences and applications of respectful, humble, and polite language. By mastering patterns like 「お／ご～になります」「お／ご～ください」「～（ら）れる」, you can correctly express respect to elders and superiors. Additionally, we learned travel and workplace-related vocabulary such as 「下見」「チェックインする」.