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JLPT N4Honorific Language

お〜になる— Honorific Action Template

The standard template that converts most regular verbs into honorific (sonkeigo) forms, used to describe the actions of a respected person.

Grammar path · 練習

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A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 48 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE

Structure · 形

お + [Verb masu-stem] + になる/なります

Examples · 例文

  • 社長がお帰りになります。

    Shachou ga okaeri ni narimasu.

    The president is going home.

    お + 帰り (return) + になります

  • 先生が本をお読みになった。

    Sensei ga hon wo oyomi ni natta.

    The teacher read the book.

    お + 読み (read) + になった

  • お客様がお待ちになっています。

    Okyakusama ga omachi ni natte imasu.

    The customer is waiting.

    お + 待ち (wait) + になっています

Usage notes · 注意

  • Not for every verb: single-mora stems (見る→お見になる ✗) and verbs with dedicated honorifics (行く→いらっしゃる) don't use this template.
  • The Polite Request Origin: お待ちください (please wait) comes from this pattern — dropping になる and adding ください.
  • Contrast: お + stem + する/いたす is the HUMBLE version for your own actions.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones お〜になる is tested against.

vsお〜する / お〜いたす

お〜する is HUMBLE (lowers your OWN action); お〜になる is HONORIFIC (elevates the OTHER person's action).

vsれる / られる (honorific)

The passive-form honorific (帰られる) is lighter and less formal than お帰りになる, which shows greater respect.

More honorific language

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