{"id":105935,"date":"2023-04-10T11:41:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T15:41:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/useful-japanese-phrases-words-humble-form\/"},"modified":"2025-05-26T07:12:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T11:12:25","slug":"useful-japanese-phrases-words-humble-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/useful-japanese-phrases-words-humble-form\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Humble in Japanese: A Guide with Useful Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being humble and polite is a cornerstone of Japanese culture and society.<\/p>\n

You know all the essential polite phrases necessary for daily conversation<\/a>. But to speak Japanese like a native speaker, you need to learn the cultural context of the language.<\/p>\n

While learning to speak Japanese in a culturally-sensitive way is best done by living abroad in Japan, it can be accomplished just as well at home<\/a> by studying key Japanese phrases to make yourself sound more polite and humble.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why Sound More Humble?<\/h2>\n

During my first week of work in a Japanese office, I asked my new coworker Takashi which slides we were supposed to present the next day.<\/p>\n

He told me, \u201cI think we need slides 103 and 107.\u201d I nodded and went to my other coworker and asked the same question to confirm. But in doing this, I unwittingly offended Takashi.<\/p>\n

When Takashi said, \u201cI think,\u201d I thought it meant he wasn’t certain about his answer. But in Japanese, using “I think” before a statement is a common way to sound polite.<\/p>\n

When I asked another coworker the same question, it looked like I thought that Takashi wasn’t competent! Not a great way to build office relationships.<\/p>\n

Learning to sound humble is a must in Japanese so you can avoid sounding rude, aggressive or vain. It’s not always taught in textbooks, but it’s something I rely on heavily, especially when meeting people for the first time.<\/p>\n

A Quick Look at Humble Forms of Speech<\/h2>\n

The differences between casual, polite, honorific and humble Japanese speech are very distinct. There’s no direct comparison to English, where the rules are a lot looser.<\/p>\n

In English, I always try to be friendly with my boss \u2014 fitting as many bad jokes and puns as I can into conversation.<\/p>\n

In Japanese, however, my speech changes drastically and humble words suddenly pour from my mouth before I can stop myself.<\/p>\n

Humble words and expressions are often used in customer service or within an office, so you may already know some basic humble expressions and vocabulary. Many office workers will use humble speech when talking to their boss about themselves or their family.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u5931\u793c\u81f4\u3057\u307e\u3059 (\u3057\u3064\u308c\u3044\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059) is a humble\/polite way to say \u201cexcuse me (for interrupting.)\u201d<\/p>\n

Nouns<\/strong> often have \u00a0\u201c\u304a\u201d placed in front of them to signify their beauty or importance:<\/p>\n

\u304a\u9152 (\u304a\u3055\u3051) \u2014 Sake
\n\u304a\u82b1 (\u304a\u306f\u306a) \u2014 Flower
\n\u304a\u96fb\u8a71 (\u304a\u3067\u3093\u308f) \u2014 Phone<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll see this pattern in songs, poetry or when someone is being polite in formal or business situations.<\/p>\n

Verbs<\/strong> follow a similar pattern: \u304a\uff0bstem\uff0b\u306b\u306a\u308b,<\/em> \u304a\uff0bstem\uff0b\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 and \u304a\uff0bstem\uff0b\u3067\u3059.<\/p>\n

\u4f55\u304b\u98f2\u307f\u307e\u3059\u304b (\u306a\u306b\u304b\u306e\u307f\u307e\u3059\u304b) \u2014 Do you want something to drink?
\nbecomes:
\n\u4f55\u304b\u304a\u98f2\u307f\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b (\u306a\u306b\u304b\u304a\u306e\u307f\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b) \u2014 Would you like something to drink?.<\/p>\n

\u96fb\u8a71\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (\u3067\u3093\u308f\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044) \u2014 Please call me.
\nbecomes:
\n\u304a\u96fb\u8a71\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (\u304a\u3067\u3093\u308f\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044) \u2014 Please do not hesitate to call me.<\/p>\n

\u540d\u524d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b (\u306a\u307e\u3048\u306f\u306a\u3093\u3067\u3059\u304b) \u2014 What is your name?
\nbecomes:
\n\u304a\u540d\u524d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b (\u304a\u306a\u307e\u3048\u306f\u306a\u3093\u3067\u3059\u304b) \u2014 May I ask your name, please?<\/p>\n

Although humble, Japanese can seem like another language within itself, there are plenty of easy ways to sound humble, modest or make your statements softer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Useful Japanese Phrases to Sound More Humble<\/h2>\n

Speaking too directly can be considered rude if you\u2019re not talking to a friend.<\/p>\n

Instead, many people add words to soften their speech while sharing opinions or stating facts.<\/p>\n

In English, we often use phrases like “a bit” to make our sentences sound more gentle or polite. Which one sounds softer: \u201cIt\u2019s a bit expensive.\u201d or \u201cIt\u2019s expensive.\u201d?<\/p>\n

The following phrases are perfect for softening your speech and making more gentle statements:<\/p>\n

\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059 (I think)<\/h3>\n

\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059 (\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3044\u307e\u3059) <\/strong>roughly translates into \u201cI think.\u201d To avoid sounding rude or overconfident,\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059<\/strong> is often added to the end of a sentence to make it softer or more modest.<\/p>\n

\u3082\u3046\u5e30\u3063\u305f\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3082\u3046\u304b\u3048\u3063\u305f\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3044\u307e\u3059)
\n(I think) they already went home.<\/p>\n

\u305d\u308c\u3067\u826f\u3044\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u305d\u308c\u3067\u3088\u3044\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3044\u307e\u3059)
\n(I think) that would be fine.<\/p>\n

When I first started using Japanese, this sentence structure confused me. I would often translate \u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059 <\/strong>\u00a0too literally.<\/p>\n

Remember that adding \u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u00a0<\/strong>to a sentence doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that there\u2019s any uncertainty to a statement.<\/p>\n

For example, \u98df\u3079\u3088\u3046\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059 (\u305f\u3079\u3088\u3046\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3044\u307e\u3059) literally translates to \u201cI think I\u2019m going to eat,\u201d however the intended meaning is simply, \u201cI\u2019m going to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u304c \u00a0 (but\/so therefore)<\/h3>\n

Sometimes the particle \u304c<\/strong>\u00a0 is placed at the end of the final verb in a sentence to make a statement softer. In this situation, it can be translated into but\/so therefore.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u5931\u793c\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026 (\u3057\u3064\u308c\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026)
\nExcuse me but\u2026<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u3064\u307e\u3089\u306a\u3044\u3082\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026
\nThis (gift) isn\u2019t anything special but\u2026<\/p>\n

\u8cb7\u3044\u7269\u306b\u884c\u3053\u3046\u304b\u3068\u601d\u3046\u3093\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026\u00a0 (\u304b\u3044\u3082\u306e\u306b\u3044\u3053\u3046\u304b\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3046\u3093\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026)
\nI\u2019m thinking of going shopping, so\u2026<\/p>\n

When you use this, the listener will usually recognize your intentions and speak up. Here’s a more comprehensive post on this important particle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082 (however\/though)<\/h3>\n

This is nearly interchangeable with \u304c. Usually \u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082<\/strong>\u00a0comes at the end of a main clause.<\/p>\n

When used after the final verb in a sentence, it leaves the tone of a statement more gentle sounding. \u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082<\/strong>can be translated as \u201chowever\/though\u201d in this situation.<\/p>\n

\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u8a00\u3046\u3053\u3068\u3082\u7406\u89e3\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082\u2026 (\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u3044\u3046\u3053\u3068\u3082\u308a\u304b\u3044\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082…)
\nI can understand what you\u2019re saying but\u2026<\/p>\n

\u305d\u308c\u306f\u826f\u3044\u3053\u3068\u3060\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082\u3002 (\u305d\u308c\u306f\u3088\u3044\u3053\u3068\u3060\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3051\u308c\u3069\u3082)
\nI think it\u2019s a good thing, though.<\/p>\n

In more casual situations, someone may use \u3051\u3069\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>instead:<\/p>\n

\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3059\u3051\u3069…
\nThat\u2019s true but\u2026<\/p>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068 (a little)<\/h3>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068<\/strong>\u00a0means \u201ca little\u201d or \u201ca little bit.\u201d It\u2019s also used to politely deny a request or to express a negative response.<\/p>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u5fd9\u3057\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026\u00a0 (\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3044\u305d\u304c\u3057\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c…)
\nI\u2019m a bit busy so\u2026<\/p>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u5931\u793c \u3002 (\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3057\u3064\u308c\u3044)
\nExcuse me for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u56f0\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3053\u307e\u308a\u307e\u3059)
\n(Sorry), but it\u2019d be a bit troublesome.<\/p>\n

In this context, \u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068<\/strong>\u00a0 is often followed by an apology of some kind:<\/p>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\uff01
\nExcuse me (to get one\u2019s attention)!<\/p>\n

\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u7533\u3057\u8a33\u306a\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c\u2026 (\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3082\u3046\u3057\u308f\u3051\u306a\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c…)
\nSorry to bother you, but\u2026<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u5fdc (sort of\/somehow)<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to accept a compliment. If you\u2019d like to sound a bit more confident of your ability to do something, you can use \u4e00\u5fdc (\u3044\u3061\u304a\u3046)<\/strong> in front of a statement.<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u5fdc\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0has many different meanings and uses, but in the examples below you can treat it as \u201csort of\u201d and \u201csomehow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u5fdc\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3044\u3061\u304a\u3046\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059)
\nI can sort of do it.<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u5fdc\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u3092\u8a71\u305b\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3044\u3061\u304a\u3046 \u306b\u307b\u3093\u3054\u3092\u306f\u306a\u305b\u307e\u3059)
\nI can kind of speak Japanese.<\/p>\n

Be careful not to use \u4e00\u5fdc<\/strong>\u00a0 in front of a well-known or important name, or the connotation changes. For example:<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u5fdc\u5927\u5b66\u3092\u51fa\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3044\u3061\u304a\u3046 \u3060\u3044\u304c\u304f\u3092\u3067\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059)
\nI somehow graduated from university.<\/p>\n

(Humble)<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u5fdc\u30cf\u30fc\u30d0\u30fc\u30c9\u5927\u5b66\u3092\u51fa\u3066\u308b\u304b\u3089\u3002 (\u3044\u3061\u304a\u3046 \u306f\u30fc\u3070\u30fc\u3069\u3060\u3044\u304c\u304f\u3092\u3067\u3066\u308b\u304b\u3089)
\nI graduated from the<\/em> Harvard University.<\/p>\n

(Not humble)<\/p>\n

Receiving compliments<\/h3>\n

In Japanese, it\u2019s common for someone to deny a compliment or say that a great achievement is \u201cnothing, really.\u201d This is seen as being appropriately modest.<\/p>\n

Some typical conversations may go like:<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Japanese is great!\u201d
\n\u201cOh, no. I still have a long way to go. I should study more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like your outfit today. You always dress nicely.\u201d
\n\u201cThis? It\u2019s nothing special!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations to your sister! I heard she got accepted into university abroad!\u201d
\n\u201cWe can finally get rid of her. But she\u2019s got such a big student loan\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right. Not even family members are spared when it comes to modesty.<\/p>\n

There are lots of different ways to show your modesty, but here are some common phrases that you can use in most situations:<\/p>\n

\u3044\u3048 \u2014\u00a0 Oh, no
\n\u3044\u3048\u3044\u3048 \u2014\u00a0No, no
\n\u305d\u3093\u306a\u3053\u3068\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002 \u2014 That\u2019s not true.
\n\u307e\u3060\u307e\u3060\u3067\u3059\u3002 \u2014 I still have a long way to go.
\n\u307e\u3060\u52c9\u5f37\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3068 \u3002 (\u307e\u3060\u3079\u3093\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3068) \u2014 I still have to study more.
\n\u307e\u3060 (…) \u306a\u3044\u3068\u3044\u3051\u306a\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002 \u2014 I still need to (\u2026) more.<\/p>\n

Talking with guests<\/h3>\n

Although I\u2019m not one to be overly humble around friends, I’ve found that being humble among neighbors or house guests can help ease some tension and build good relationships.<\/p>\n

When inviting someone over (especially someone you don\u2019t know too well), you can use a few expressions such as:<\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u305e\u3001\u6563\u3089\u304b\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304c\u304a\u4e0a\u304c\u308a\u4e0b\u3055\u3044\u3002 (\u3069\u3046\u305e\u3001\u3061\u3089\u304b\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304c\u304a\u3042\u304c\u308a\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044)
\nIt\u2019s messy inside but please come in anyway.<\/p>\n

\u6c5a\u3044\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e\u3002 (\u304d\u305f\u306a\u3044\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e)
\nThis place is a mess but please…<\/p>\n

I find myself using \u6c5a\u3044\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e<\/strong>\u00a0 with friends who I’ve invited to my house for the first time, even if “messy” only counts as a magazine left open on my dining table.<\/p>\n

\u4f55\u306e\u304a\u69cb\u3044\u3082\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e… (\u306a\u3093\u306e\u304a\u304b\u307e\u3044\u3082\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e…)
\nI don\u2019t have anything worth serving but\u2026<\/p>\n

In response, your guest may say:<\/p>\n

\u305d\u308c\u3067\u306f\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3060\u3051\u4e0a\u304c\u3089\u305b\u3066\u9802\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u305d\u308c\u3067\u306f\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3060\u3051\u3042\u304c\u3089\u305b\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059)
\nThen let me come in for just a bit<\/p>\n

\u305d\u308c\u3067\u306f\u304a\u90aa\u9b54\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u305d\u308c\u3067\u306f\u304a\u3058\u3083\u307e\u3057\u307e\u3059)
\nEven so, allow me to come in<\/p>\n

As in many countries, it’s polite to offer something to drink or a small snack to eat when someone visits you.<\/p>\n

At the end of a visit, even if you made a five-course dinner for your guest, along with live entertainment and the very best sake money could buy, you can still say:<\/p>\n

\u4f55\u306e\u304a\u69cb\u3044\u3082\u3067\u304d\u306a\u304f\u3066 \uff08\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\uff09\u3002 (\u306a\u3093\u306e\u304a\u304b\u307e\u3044\u3082\u3067\u304d\u306a\u304f\u3066\uff08\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\uff09)
\nI\u2019m sorry that I didn\u2019t serve you enough!<\/p>\n

\u7c97\u672b\u306a\u98df\u4e8b\u3067\u3001\u7533\u3057\u8a33\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002 (\u305d\u307e\u3064\u306a\u3057\u3087\u304f\u3058\u3067\u3001\u3082\u3046\u3057\u308f\u3051\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093)
\nI\u2019m sorry that I served you a simple meal.<\/p>\n

When leaving someone\u2019s house, it\u2019s common to say, \u304a\u90aa\u9b54\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f (\u304a\u3058\u3083\u307e\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f) which literally means \u201cI got in the way.\u201d Think of it as saying, \u201cExcuse me for intruding,\u201d or \u201cSorry to have put you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now you can invite your neighbors over and avoid awkward conversation \u2014 unless, you know, they spot some of your baby photos over on the mantel.<\/p>\n

And remember, if they compliment you on that tasteful painting in your living room: \u201cThat old thing? It\u2019s just an original Gustav Klimt. No big deal\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing what phrases to use in which circumstances may not always be obvious, but hopefully the above guide will help you get the basics down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To learn more about how to use humble speech, it’s helpful to hear it used in context. The more\u00a0 you encounter humble speech, the more you’ll start to intuitively understand it.<\/p>\n

If you’re not living in Japan, then your best bet is to expose yourself to lots of Japanese media like TV shows<\/a> and movies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another option is to try a video-focused language learning program like FluentU<\/a>.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n