Understanding Honorifics in Japanese Culture

In Japan, how people talk to each other shows a lot about respect and community. This is where honorifics come in. Let’s break it down:

1. What are Honorifics?

   • There are two main types:
     • Sonkeigo (尊敬語): This is a polite way of speaking to show respect for someone who is considered more important. For example, instead of saying 書く (kaku), which means "to write," you would say お書きになる (okaki ni naru) to sound more respectful.
     • Kenjougo (謙譲語): This is a humble way of speaking used when talking about yourself or making yourself seem less important. For instance, the word 行く (iku), which means "to go," changes to 伺う (ukagau) when you want to be more modest.

2. Levels of Politeness:

   • Japanese has different levels of politeness. You can speak casually to friends, but in more formal situations, using keigo (敬語) or respectful language is very important.

These different ways of speaking help people get along better and keep everything running smoothly in social situations.