Usage Notes:

The above represents common patterns for how verbs are made humble, but the fact is that keigo is extremely complex. There are many exceptions governing how particular verbs are made humble, depending on what forms have survived to modern times, as well as particular ways of expressing certain sentiments. For instance, notice that a number of the model verbs used for the other forms could not be used here. It would be advisable to check a reliable source for any particular case.

Humble forms are used only when the speaker, or member of the speaker's in-group is the subject. It lowers the position of the subject in order to show politeness to the listener. This is a separate function from that provided by the "normal polite" forms ("desu", "masu"), which show politeness to the listener regardless of the subject, so these are still generally needed.

Note that some verbs have inherently polite or humble counterparts that are used in their place when a humble form is called for.

Examples:

taberu	(食べる)		itadaku	いただく
nomu	(飲む)		itadaku	いただく
iku	(行く)		mairu	参る
kuru	(来る)		mairu	参る
ageru	(上げる)		sashiageru	差し上げる
iru	(いる)		oru	おる
iu	(言う)		mousu	申す
kiku	(聞く)		ukagau (to ask) uketamawaru (to hear or listen)	伺う 承る
miru	(見る)		haiken suru haiken itasu	拝見する 拝見いたす
shiru	(知る)		zonjiru	存じる
suru	(する)		itasu	いたす

There are numerous exceptions in how particular verbs are made humble, so it would be advisable to check a reliable source for any particular case.

For verbs that conjugate as noun + "suru", where the noun involved is of Chinese origin (i.e. the "on" reading of the kanji is used), generally "itasu" is used in place of "suru". For example, "benkyou suru" becomes "benkyou itasu".

Usage Examples: