The main purpose of the section 41 is to learn how to make honorific expressions for Giving/Receiving sentences. Honorific expressions are introduced in the section 49 and 50. But honorific expressions exclusively for giving/receiving is introduced precedingly. It is probably because they are more likely to be used in conversations.
When it comes to honorific expressions, it is very important to distinguish between honorifics and humble language. Honorifics are introduced in the section 49, and Humble language in the section 50. Today we are learning one of humble language “Itadaki mashita”. Take a look at the followings that show increasing politeness;
– Casual Language : Moratta.
– Polite Language : Morai mashita.
– Humble Language of the level of Honolific Expression : Itadaki mashita.
Note that “Morai mashita” is a polite language that you can use in public spaces. But sometimes it is not enough polite when you speak to elderlies, your boss, teachers, your customers, a person you met at the first time, and so on. In such occasion, you would use humble language. And it is important to know, “Watashi (I)” must be the subject in a sentence of humble language, because “Watashi (I)” has to be humble.
Today’s sentence construction is as follows;
– Watashi wa [Person] ni [Object] o Itadaki mashita.
where, [Person] is a superior person to you.
1. Watashi wa Sensei ni Hon o Itadaki mashita. ( I received a book from my teacher.)
The sentence 1 is an honorific expression using humble language “Itadaki mashita”. “Sensei” can be replaced with other persons who is superior to you. But you need to be careful. When you are talking to people outside your family, you cannot put your family member to the “Sensei” part of the sentence 1.
(WRONG) Watashi wa Haha ni Okane o Itadaki mashita.
(RIGHT) Watashi wa Haha ni Okane o Morai mashita.
Your mother is superior to you, of course, but you cannot be humble to your mother in front of people who are not a family member of yours. In this case, calling your mom “Oka’asan” is also wrong.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section41 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
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