The Purpose of Humble Forms

Humble forms play a crucial role in 敬語 (keigo), which encompasses honorific, humble, and polite speech. They enable speakers to:

• Maintain respectful and courteous communication with others
• Convey a sense of deference and modesty when referring to oneself or one’s actions
• Perform polite requests and offers of services

謙譲語 (kenjōgo) thus fosters smooth social interactions by respecting the status and feelings of the listeners, particularly in subsequent higher social standing or more formal settings.

Identifying and Utilizing Humble Forms in Japanese Verb Conjugation

To employ humble forms effectively, understanding verb conjugation rules is critical. Implementing humble forms generally involves transforming verbs through suffixes and auxiliary verbs.

一段 Verbs (Ichidan Verbs)

For 一段 verbs, which are verbs ending in “iru” or “eru,” attaching the verb stem to the humble auxiliary verb お + verb stem + する allows for the proper humble conjugation. A prime example is 切る (kiru, to cut), which becomes お切りする (o-kiri suru) when conjugated to a humble form.

五段 Verbs (Godan Verbs)

For 五段 verbs, verbs that end in -u, -ku, -su, -tsu, -nu, -bu, -mu, -gu, or -ru, there are two methods to conjugate into humble forms:

1. Attach ご + verb + する: For example, 行う (okonau, to do) changes to ご行う (go-okonau) when conjugated into a humble form.
2. Replace the verb ending with い + verb + ます: For example, 買う (kau, to buy) becomes 買います (kaimasu) when conjugated to a humble form.

Irregular and Special Cases

Some verbs feature special or irregular changes when transformed into humble form:

• 来る (kuru, to come) becomes 参る (mairu)
• する (suru, to do) becomes いたす (itasu)

Applying Humble Forms in Practice

The application of humble forms extends to various expressions, enhancing one’s ability to navigate Japanese language and culture successfully. Here are examples of commonly used humble forms in action:

• お会いできる (o-ai dekiru) = to be able to meet
• お持ちします (o-mochi shimasu) = to bring
• お伺いします (o-ukagai shimasu) = to ask, visit or inquire

By incorporating humble forms into daily language, learners showcase not only linguistic proficiency but also cultural awareness, deepening connections with Japanese speakers and further enriching their experiences in Japanese society.