In professional or formal situations, Japanese speakers use two contrasting types of respectful language: honorific expressions and humble expressions. For example, in a store, you may hear clerks use honorific expressions when referring to the actions of customers (out-group), while using humble expressions when referring to their own actions (in-group). We have already seen many examples of honorific expressions in Lesson 21. In this lesson, we will focus on humble expressions.
ぶんぽう (Grammar)
- Humble and extra-modest expressions
- V1ないで V2 ("V2 without V1-ing")
- Embedded questions within sentences
- NameというN
- Giving directions to go somewhere
- V-stem + やすい/にくい ("easy/difficult to V")
Useful Social Expressions
- おまたせいたしました: Thank you for waiting.
- まことにもうしわけございませんでした: We sincerely apologize.
New Kanji
皿、声、茶、止、枚、両、無、払、心、笑、絶、対、痛、最、続