| |
In the last lesson, we learned the special expressions to be
used when we want to show respect to another person.
Here, we will learn to
talk modestly of our own actions.
We use the verbs below when we want to sound modest and
respectful in our speech, to show an extra amount of
deference to the listener.
These verbs are almost always used in long forms, because
the purpose of using them is to be polite to the person you
are talking to.
Having one of these verbs is like ending a sentence with
words like sir or ma'am. |
| |
extra-modest expressions |
|
| いる |
おります |
おる |
to be, to exist |
行く
来る |
参ります・まいります |
参る・まいる |
to go
to come |
| 言う |
申します・もうします |
申す・もうす |
to say, to speak |
| する |
いたします |
いたす |
to do |
食べる
飲む |
いただきます |
いただく |
to eat
to drink |
| ある |
ございます |
ござる |
to be, to be at |
| ～ている |
～ております |
～ておる |
~ do /to be/ |
| ～です |
～でございます |
～でござる |
~ is |
|
| |
You can use these verbs instead of the normal ones on very formal occasions,
for example, when you introduce yourself at a job interview.
They are typically
used with the more stilted first-person word わたくし -
watakushi, rather than わたし
- watashi. |
私は来年も日本におります。
います |
I will be in Japan next year, too, sir / ma
'am. |
|
watakushi-wa rainen mo, nihon-ni orimasu.
imasu |
|
| |
|
私は今年の六月に大学を卒業いたしました。
卒業しました |
I graduated from college this June, sir /
ma'am. |
watakushi-wa, kotoshi no roku-gatsu ni, daigaku-o sotsugyoo
itashimashita.
sotsugyoo shimashita |
|
| |
|
私は一年間日本語を勉強しております。
勉強しています |
I have been studying Japanese for a year. |
watakushi-wa ichi-nen-kan, nihongo-o benkyoo-shite orimasu.
benkyoo-shite imasu |
|
| |
|
私は日本の文化に興味がございます。
あります |
I am interested in the Japanese culture. |
watakushi-wa , nihon-no bunka ni kyoomi-ga gozaimasu.
arimasu |
|
| |
You can also use these expressions to talk modestly about your own family or
about the company you work for.
Extra-modest expressions are frequently used by people in business when they
talk to customers.
Thus you hear many extra-modest sentences like the second and third examples
below, in public address announcements, and in the speech of shop clerks.
|
| |
|
私の母は医者でございます。
です |
My mother is a doctor. |
watakushi-no haha-wa, isha de gozaimasu.
desu |
|
電車が参ります。
来ます |
A train is pulling in. |
densha-ga mairimasu
kimasu |
|
お手洗いは二階でございます。
です |
The bathroom is on the second floor. |
otearai-wa ni-kai de gozaimasu.
desu |
|
| |
Because the effect of the extra-modest
expressions is to put the subject in a modest light, you
cannot use them to describe the actions performed by the
person you are talking to or by somebody who is not in your
group. |
| |
Therefore, it is wrong to say: |
|
先生は明日学校に参りますか。 |
Are you coming to school tomorrow,
Professor? |
|
sensei-wa, ashita,
gakko-ni mairimasu ka? |
|
