Sonkeigo and Kenjougo：The Logic of Raising and Lowering

Keigo requires memorization. There is no way to avoid learning specific irregular verbs. However, simply memorizing a list is not enough to survive in a professional environment. If you don’t understand the underlying logic of how to apply those words, you will never truly master them. In this article, I will explain the logic for using Sonkeigo and Kenjougo correctly so you can stop relying on pure memorization.

Core

Sonkeigo:Raising the other person

Kenjougo:Lowering yourself

Analysis

Sonkeigo

Target: The other person’s action (Client, Boss, etc.).

Logic: You are placing the other person on a higher stage. By raising their action, you show respect for their status.

Rule: If the Subject of the verb is the other person → Use Sonkeigo.

Kenjougo

Target: Your own action (or your team’s).

Logic: You are intentionally stepping down. By lowering your own position, you create a relative gap that makes the other person appear higher.

Rule: If the Subject of the verb is Me or Us → Use Kenjougo.

Case Study

Example 1

Japanese: 「資料をご覧になりますか？」
Explanation: The subject is the client (other person). Since you are referring to their action, you must use the “Raising” logic (Sonkeigo).

Example 2

Japanese: 「資料を拝見しました。」
Explanation: The subject is Me. By using the Lowering logic (Kenjougo), you show respect to the person you are talking to by decreasing your own status.

Quiz

Are the following sentences correct (O) or wrong (X)?

To your Boss: 「部長、この資料を拝見してください。」 (Meaning: Manager, please look at this document.)
To a Client: 「私が申し上げました。」 (Meaning: I said that.)
To a Client: 「明日、弊社に参りますか？」 (Meaning: Will you come to our office tomorrow?)

※The answer is below the summary.

Summary

Category	Target (Subject)	Logic	Mental Image
Sonkeigo	Other Person	Raising the action	Placing them on a pedestal
Kenjougo	Me / Us	Lowering the action	Stepping down to create a gap

Answers

X (Wrong): The subject is the Boss. You should not use Kenjougo (Haiken suru) for someone else’s action. Use Sonkeigo (Goran ni naru).
O (Correct): The subject is “I.” Using Kenjougo (Moushiageru) correctly lowers your own status.
X (Wrong): The subject is the Client. Mairu is Kenjougo (Lowering). You cannot tell a client to lower themselves. Use Sonkeigo (Irassharu).