Keigo 5-Level Transform
Keigo Map: "聞く" vs "すわる"
Master the social hierarchies of Japanese speech by converting levels.
" 聞く " (to ask / listen)
謙譲語 (Humble)
伺う
尊敬語 (Respectful)
お聞きになる
丁寧語 (Polite)
聞きます
普通体 (Plain)
聞く
スラング (Slang)
聞く
" すわる " (to sit)
謙譲語 (Humble)
おすわしする
尊敬語 (Respectful)
おすわしになる
丁寧語 (Polite)
すわします
普通体 (Plain)
すわる
スラング (Slang)
すわる
Keigo System & Pragmatic Usage
Japanese has an intricate honorific system (Keigo) that transforms words across 5 levels of politeness depending on social relationships.
Review the complete catalog comparing "聞く" and "すわる" below.
Humble (Kenjougo) lowers yourself, Respectful (Sonkeigo) raises the listener, Polite (Teineigo) is standard formal, Plain is standard casual, and Slang is extreme casual for friends.
Pragmatic Keigo Test
Which Keigo form perfectly fits this specific social scenario?
Fill in the blank with the correct level form for a Humble (Kenjougo) context: "お話を伺いました。" (Bilingual Meaning: "I humble-listened to your story.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "伺う" is the Humble form used to lower yourself before superordinate listeners.