Meaning
This grammar pattern expresses respect when describing the actions or state of someone you want to honor. Use お before the ます-stem of verbs (except single-syllable verbs like 見る, 寝る) and ご before nouns. This pattern is commonly used with verbs like 待つ (wait), 持つ (hold), and nouns like 滞在 (stay) and 研究 (research).
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| お 动词(ます形) | です |
| ご 名词 | です |
Examples
-
鈴木さん、社長がお呼びです。
Mr. Suzuki, the president is calling for you. -
山田教授、本日の会議の資料をお持ちですか。
Professor Yamada, do you have the materials for today's meeting? -
アメリカのパートナー会社のスミスさんをご存知ですか。
Do you know Mr. Smith from our American partner company?
Summary
- Use お + verb ます-stem or ご + noun + です for honorific expressions
- Cannot be used with single-syllable verbs like 見る, 寝る, 来る
- Common with words like 呼ぶ (call), 持つ (have), 存知 (know - honorific form)