85 Basic Expressions of Japanese Honorifics for Quick and Easy use (Speak Japanese!)

Book in the series "Speak Japanese!" which covers "Keigo" i.e. the honorific language in Japanese.

The book explains what Keigo is and its role in Japanese society.

Texts are provided in Japanese and English. It includes downloadable audio.

The first chapter of the book is devoted to helping readers learn the basics of keigo, such as "dochira" and "donata" instead of "doko" and "dare", and how to use the honorific prefixes and suffixes.

The second and third chapters of the book present specific polite words and phrases in respectful and humble Japanese. Each word or phrase has its own dedicated double-page section, with examples of how to use it and the opportunity to practise it. This clear and concise layout is really one of the greatest strengths of this book and, indeed, of the entire "Speak Japanese!" series. Readers can focus on one word or phrase at a time and become proficient at their own pace.

The second part of the book focuses on sentence patterns and expressions for specific purposes and functions, such as requests, proposals, negations, statements, opinions and permissions. It also has a section devoted to specific situations, with phrases and examples for practical use in a variety of settings, such as at school, in the office, in a factory, working in a shop or restaurant, in a job interview, and many more.

Description of the book in Japanese provided by the publisher:

敬語をテーマにした会話実践の本として、仕事や生活のさまざまな日常場面ですぐに役立つ。

本編に入る前にまず、敬語とはどういうものか、その役割を学ぶ。その中で、「ウチとソト」という意識や、会話の相手によって細かく使い分けることなど、日本人・日本社会の基本的な特徴をつかむ。

本編に入り、PART１「敬語の基本」ではまず、敬語の基本を丁寧に押さえていく、敬語の基本を丁寧に押さえていく。 丁寧語・尊敬語・謙譲語のそれぞれで、基本となる語と表現文型の意味と使い方を学習。 PART２「敬語の実践会話」では、機能編と場面編に分けて実践力養成をする。機能編では、依頼・勧誘・提案・断り・発言・意見・意志・許可など、目的・機能をもとに分類し、基本的な文型や表現を学習する。場面編では、学校・オフィス・工場・コンビニ・飲食店・就職面接などの場所や、先生・上司・客・初対面の人などの会話の相手に変化をつけながら、より実践に向けた練習をする。

日本語にはすべてふりがなが振られ、ローマ字表記と対訳が付くので、一人でも安心して学習できる。場面理解のヒントになるイラストも学習をサポート。また、会話例文には無料ダウンロードで音声が付く。