This article explains the difference between “goran ni naru” and “haiken suru,” two honorific expressions for the verb “to see” or “to look at.”
Goran ni Naru (Respectful Language)
This expression elevates the action of the other person — a client, business partner, or superior — when they “look at” something. It’s used for the other person’s action, as in shiryou o goran kudasai (“please take a look at the materials”).
Haiken Suru (Humble Language)
This expression lowers the action when you, or someone from your own side (uchi), “look at” something. It’s used when you’re the one checking the other person’s work or materials, as in shiryou o haiken itashimashita (“I have looked over the materials”).
Recognizing and Applying the “Uchi/Soto” Boundary
When communicating with people outside your company, everyone from your own side — including your president or manager — is treated as “uchi” (your own group).
- With people outside the company: Even if it was your own manager who checked something, you say shachou no Tanaka ga haiken itashimashita (“our president, Tanaka, has looked at it”), using humble language. Saying goran ni narimashita here would be a mistake.
- With people inside the company: When a subordinate checks a document their manager prepared, using humble language toward the manager — for example, buchou no shiryou o haiken shimashita (“I have looked at the manager’s materials”) — is a way of showing respect.
A Note on Double Honorifics
| Expression | Grammatical Correctness | Correction / Recommended Form |
| Goran ni narareru | Incorrect (double honorific: respectful + respectful) | Goran ni naru / Goran ni narimashita |
| Haiken sasete itadaku | Not ideal (excessive, redundant) | Haiken shimasu / Haiken itashimashita |
| Haiken itashimasu | Acceptable (humble form I + polite, widely used in practice) | Haiken itashimasu / Haiken shimashita |
| Goran ni natte irassharu | Correct (a valid chain of honorific forms) | (Correct as is) |
Case Study
詳細につきましては、弊社のホームページをご覧ください。
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