Humble verbs: lowering yourself
Staff use humble verbs for what they do for you, and you'll want a few yourself on the phone, at reception or with a teacher. , いたす and are the core. Humble verbs are for you and your side only, never for the person you're talking to. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
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24 humble forms
Each card shows the everyday verb, its humble form and a line you'd say or hear at a counter, on the phone or at school. Ten reuse words and forms from earlier lessons and courses.
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How humble verbs work
Again, the common verbs have their own word. Other verbs use お + stem + する, or ご + noun + する for する-nouns.
| Plain | Humble | Example |
|---|
- Only for your side. Use humble verbs for yourself, your family or your company when talking to outsiders: .
- The safe set. (I'll come / may I ask), いたします (I'll do) and (my name is). With です/ます, that's plenty.
- Don't mix them up. = I'll carry it. = will you carry it? (Lesson 2).
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Four patterns to use today
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Say it in Japanese
Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.