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All Japanese activities

Activities: "What is 尊敬語 (sonkeigo) in Japanese?"

By: Nora Farley

Activity 1: Change the sentences

Take the following Japanese sentences and make all necessary (and optional) changes to make them respectful.
  1. 石田さん、子供は何人いますか。
    Transcription: Ishida-san, kodomo wa nan’nin imasu ka.
    Translation: How many children do you have, Mr. Ishida?

    → 。

  2. 河野先生は有名な大学で教えているので、きっと忙しいです。
    Transcription: Kōno-sensei wa yūmei na daigaku de oshiete iru no de, kitto isogashii desu.
    Translation: Professor Kōno teaches at a famous university, so she’s undoubtedly very busy.

    → 。

  3. 空港に着いたら両替所の前で待っていてください。
    Transcription: Kūkō ni tsuitara ryōgaejo no mae de matte kudasai.
    Translation: Once you’ve arrived at the airport, please wait in front of the currency exchange office.

    → 。

  4. 出身はどこですか。
    Transcription: Shusshin wa doko desu ka.
    Translation: Where are you from?
    Literally: Where is your hometown?

    → 。

  5. 時間がある時、ぜひ自分で調べてください。
    Transcription: Jikan ga aru toki, zehi jibun de shirabete kudasai.
    Translation: Please look it up by yourself when you have time.

    → 。

Activity 2: Fix the sentences

The following respectful sentences contain mistakes. Find and correct them.
  1. 次の展覧会にもおいらっしゃいください。
    Transcription: Tsugi no tenrankai ni mo oirasshai kudasai.
    Translation: Please come to the next exhibition as well.

    → 。

  2. 昨日、私は素敵な映画をご覧になりました。
    Transcription: Sakujitsu, watashi wa sutekina eiga o goran ni narimashita.
    Translation: I saw a wonderful film the other day.

    → 。

  3. あの俳優の名前、存じていますか。
    Transcription: Ano haiyū no namae, zonjiteimasu ka.
    Translation: Do you know that actor’s name?

    → 。

  4. 何かスポーツをおなさいになりますか。
    Transcription: Nanika supōtsu o onasai ni narimasu ka.
    Translation: Which newspaper do you read, Professor Kōno?

    → 。

Activity 3: Choose the best word

The following is a discussion between two acquaintances about the principal of the school both speakers attended as small children. They are using standard polite (not respectful) speech with each other, but they hold the principal in high regard, and are using respectful expressions for him. Keeping this context in mind, choose the best option to complete each of the sentences. (Hint: make sure you know the subject or “doer” of each verb!)