Keigo, and the types as they are named

Japanese honorific speech, keigo, is rooted in courtesy and mutual respect, the account says. It is not required in every situation. Close relationships are named as a place where it may not be needed. That limit is left as the account writes it.

The types are given as the account names them, not forced into a later textbook triad of respectful, humble, and polite forms. Respectful speech is used toward status and elders. What the account calls refined speech is used for politeness and refinement in formal situations. Humble language is used in self-expression, or when praising the other, so as not to show off. Formal style is used toward people of high rank. Polite language toward others is named as a further type. Those labels stay with the wording of the account.

Endings in Korean, word choice in Japanese

The contrast with Korean is drawn in method more than in spirit. Korean honorifics work mainly through sentence-final endings and a change of speech level — polite speech versus plain speech — according to situation, status, and age. Japanese honorifics work mainly through honorific forms and lexical choice.

Four examples are kept in Japanese script, as the text gives them: お目にかかれて光栄です; お誕生日おめでとうございます; すみません、ちょっとお伺いしたいんですが; お手数をおかけして申し訳ありません. A source gloss on the third sentence is slightly off, and is not rewritten as a fifth complete example. No later official count of honorific forms is added.

Sources

1. an account contrasting Japanese keigo with Korean honorifics, rooting keigo in courtesy and mutual respect, naming types as the account names them, and drawing a contrast between Korean sentence-final endings and Japanese honorific word choice, with four Japanese examples left as given.

Last updated: 14 November 2026