Hi everyone! Japanese greetings can be quite tricky, whether for work or in your daily life. Even native Japanese speakers often find themselves wondering, “What’s the best way to say this?” Have you ever felt stuck in a sudden conversation?
Today, I’d like to talk about a very important type of greeting—one you won’t always find in textbooks.
A Message from a Friend
The other day, I received a message from a Chinese friend I hadn’t heard from in a while. She has lived in Japan for over 10 years and holds the JLPT N1. Her pronunciation is beautiful, and her conversation skills are outstanding.
Since it was during a long holiday (Renkyu), she sent me this message: “Renkyu wa, dō sugoshitemasu deshō ka?”
I believe she was trying to make the casual “What are you doing over the holidays?” (Renkyu wa nani shiteru?) sound more polite. I was very touched by her effort to be respectful.
Why is it “slightly” unnatural?
To be clear, “Dō sugoshitemasu deshō ka?” is not grammatically “wrong.” The meaning is 100% clear. However, there is a slight lack of “balance” in the politeness levels.
- “Sugoshitemasu” = Medium politeness (Standard Desu/Masu)
- “Deshō ka” = High politeness (Formal conjecture/question)
Combining these two is a bit like wearing a formal suit jacket with gym shorts—it feels slightly mismatched. Let’s adjust the “politeness levels” of each part to make it more natural.
Step Up! Natural Alternatives
Step 1: Use More Polite Vocabulary
- “Dō” (How) → “Ikaga”
- “Sugoshiteimasu” (Are spending/living) → “Osugoshi desu”
- Note: The honorific form of “～teimasu” is O + Masu-stem + Desu.
🏅 “Renkyu wa, ikaga osugoshi desu ka?” (Very natural!)
Step 2: Make the Ending More Formal
- “Desu ka?” → “Deshō ka?”
🏅🏅 “Renkyu wa, ikaga osugoshi deshō ka?” (Perfect for business or speaking to superiors!)
Useful Grammar: “O + Masu-stem + Desu”
This is a great way to turn “～teimasu” (present continuous) into an honorific (Sonkeigo). It’s often used with specific verbs, so try to memorize these sets:
“Where do you work?” (Doko ni tsutometeimasu ka?) → “Dochira ni otsutome desu ka?”
“The president is waiting.” (Shachō ga matteimasu) → “Shachō ga omachi desu”
“Do you have ID with you?” (Mibunshō wo motteimasu ka?) → “Mibunshō wo omochi desu ka?”
Most of the words used as honorifics are limited.
Summary
Greetings are deep and complex, even for us Japanese people! The most important thing is choosing words that fit your relationship with the other person. When in doubt, try using “Ikaga osugoshi desu ka?” It will make your Japanese sound much more sophisticated and mature!
▶︎＜あいさつ言葉シリーズ④＞「おはよう御座います」「有難う御座います」は、漢字で書く？ひらがなで書く？
