Respectful language in Japanese is difficult.

We must choose our words according to the relative
age and social position of the person we are speaking to.

For example, the verb 'taberu' (to eat) changes to the
honorific 'meshiagaru' when the subject is a superior.
When referring to oneself, the humble from 'itadaku' is
used to show modesty.

So Keigo include both honorific and humble language, and
also we use polite language to show deference.

The auxiliary verbs -masu and -desu are examples of
polite language.


'O' --

The honorific 'o' is one of the most frequently used keigo forms.
It performs all three functions of keigo-honorific, humble, and
polite --- and is prefixed to both nouns and pronouns and
inflected words.

Honorific: the teachers honorable opinion (sensei no o-kangae),
Humble: speak humbly (o-hanashi moushiageru)
Polite: honorable water (o-mizu), honorable cold (o-samui)



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