N4 Honorific Expressions

謙譲けんじょう語ご: meaning, usage and examples

謙譲けんじょう語ご means: Humble expressions.

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 先生せんせいにお会あいしました。

   I met the teacher.

2. 部長ぶちょうにご報告ほうこくいたします。

   I will report to the manager.

3. 明日あしたの三時さんじに伺うかがいます。

   I will visit you at three tomorrow.

4. 先生せんせい、お荷物にもつをお持もちします。

   Let me carry your bag for you.

When to use it

Use 謙譲けんじょう語ご (humble language) to describe your own actions, or your group's actions, when they are directed at someone above you. Lowering yourself shows respect to the other person. 明日あしたの三時さんじに伺うかがいます means "I will visit at three tomorrow." It is used constantly at work, in shops and when you introduce yourself: 山田やまだと申もうします.

Nuance

The お + stem + する pattern needs someone who receives the action, so it suits things you do for others (お持もちします, ご案内あんないします). Some special verbs like 参まいる, 申もうす and おる are polite even with no receiver and are common in announcements and business speech. いたす makes any sentence more formal.

Compare

謙譲けんじょう語ご is for your actions; 尊敬そんけい語ご is for theirs. 私わたしが伺うかがいます (I will visit, humble) vs 先生せんせいがいらっしゃいます (the teacher will come, respectful). Do not use humble verbs for a superior: 部長ぶちょうが参まいります is only correct when you talk to an outside customer about your own boss.

Tip: Pick the form by asking "Who is doing this?" If the answer is "me or my company," reach for 謙譲けんじょう語ご: 伺うかがう, 申もうす, いただく, お + stem + する.

More on this in Japanese keigo: polite, respectful and humble speech.