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respectful form of verb
Definition
The grammar pattern 'お + Verb (masu-stem) + になる' is used to express respect towards the person performing the action. It is a standard honorific pattern in Japanese, known as Sonkeigo. This pattern is used to show politeness and respect, and is often used in formal situations. It is not suitable for referring to one's own actions or using with special honorific verbs.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu-stem of the verb | お + Verb (masu-stem) + になる | お食事になる (to become a guest at a meal) |
| Masu-stem of the verb | お + Verb (masu-stem) + になる (with the addition of する) | お食事するになる (to become a guest at a meal) |
| Masu-stem of the verb | お + Verb (masu-stem) + になる (with the addition of する and する) | お食事するするになる (to become a guest at a meal) |
Examples
社長、こちらの新しいスケジュールはもうお決まりになりますか。
Shachou, kochira no atarashii sukejyuru wa mō o kimarimashita nari masu ka?
Will the new schedule be decided soon?
社長 (president), こちらの新しいスケジュール (this new schedule), お決まりになる (to become decided)
先生はもうお出発になりました。
Sensei wa mō o shuppatsu ni natta.
The teacher has already left.
先生 (teacher), もう (already), お出発になる (to become left)
部長、昨日の会議で何をご提案になりましたか。
Bucho, kinou no kaigi de nan o go teian ni natta desu ka.
What proposal did the department head make at the meeting yesterday?
部長 (department head), 昨日の会議 (yesterday's meeting), 何をご提案になる (to make a proposal)
Context
This pattern is used in formal situations to show respect towards the person performing the action. It is not suitable for referring to one's own actions or using with special honorific verbs. It can be compared to the humble form 'o ~ suru' which is used to refer to the listener's actions.
Watch out
Special honorific verbs like 'irassharu' have their own specific forms and should not be used with the 'o + Verb (masu-stem) + になる' pattern.
The 'o + Verb (masu-stem) + になる' pattern is used to show respect towards the person performing the action, not one's own actions.
The humble form 'o ~ suru' is used to refer to the listener's actions, while the 'o + Verb (masu-stem) + になる' pattern is used to show respect towards the person performing the action.
Strategy
When using the 'o + Verb (masu-stem) + になる' pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form and avoid common mistakes. Practice using this pattern in different contexts to improve your understanding and application.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows お + Verb (masu-stem) + になる used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
社長、こちらの新しいスケジュールはもうお読みになりましたか。
Pattern used: お読みになりました
When asking the president (higher status) if they have read something, the respectful 'o ~ ni naru' is appropriate.
先生はもうお帰りになりました。先ほど車で出発されました。
Pattern used: お帰りになりました
'O-kaeri ni nararemashita' is a double honorific error; 'o-kaeri ni narimashita' is the correct standard form.
部長、昨日の会議で何をごお話しになりましたか。
Pattern used: お話しになりました
Since the manager (bucho) performed the action of speaking, use the respectful form 'o ~ ni naru'.
Interactive
社長、こちらの新しいスケジュールはもう______か。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.