Yesterday we learned how to make “morai mashita” a more polite expression. That was a humble language “Itadaki mashita”. “Morai mashita” and “Itadaki mashita” are both verbs that are used in so-called “giving/receiving sentences”. Today too, we are learning an honorific expression of “giving/receiving sentences”. But there are several differences;
– Yesterday’s “Morai mashita” and “Itadaki mashita” are verbs of receiving.
– Today’s “Kure mashita” and “Kudasai mashita” are verbs of giving.
– Yesterday’s “Itadaki mashita” is a humble language.
– Today’s “Kudasai mashita” is an honorific.
First, check the level of politeness about a receiving verb “kureru/kuremasu” in past/perfect tense.
– Casual Language : Kureta.
– Polite Language : Kure mashita.
– Honorific of the level of Honolific Expression : Kudasai mashita.
People who speak Japanese always have to choose the proper level of politeness. When you talk to an intimate friend, you use “Kureta”, but think the chance to use “Kureta” is not often. When you talk to someone in the public space, it would be better to use “Kuremashita”. But if the person who gave you something is superior to you, “Kuremashita” is not enough polite. Then you need to use “Kudasai mashita” for the action of giving that the superior person did.
Again, “Kudasaru” is giving, while “Itadaku” is receiving. Take a look at the followings for sake of comparison;
(1) Humble language “Itadaku/Itadakimasu”
Watashi wa* [Superior Person] ni [Object] o Itadaki mashita.
Example : Watashi wa Sensei ni Hon o Itadaki mashita. (I received a book from my teacher.)
(2) Honorific “Kudasaru/Kudasaimasu”
[Superior Person] ga* Watashi ni [Object] o Kudasai mashita.
Example : Sensei ga Watashi ni Hon o Kudasai mashita. (My teacher gave me a book.)
When using a honorific in the sentence, the subject must be a superior person to you, because honorifics are words to pay respect to action that the superior person did.
Now, here are example sentences;
1. Shachou ga Watashi ni Ryuugaku no Kikai o Kudasai mashita.
(The company president gave me an opportunity to study abroad.)
– Shachou : noun : a company president
– Ryuugaku : noun (that can be Group3 verb “[Noun]+suru”) : Studying abroad
– Kikai : noun : an opportunity
2. Tonari no Ojiisan ga Watashi ni Niwa no Kaki o Kudasai mashita.
(The old man next door gave me persimmons of his tree.)
When making an old people the subject in your Japanese sentence, it is better to use honorific for his/her action.
And the same caution again as yesterday,
(WRONG) Haha ga Watashi ni Okane o Kudasai mashita.
(RIGHT) Haha ga Watashi ni Okane o Kure mashita.
Your mother is superior to you, of course, but you cannot use honorifics to your mother’s action when you are talking to people who are not a family member of yours. Calling your mom “Oka’asan” is also wrong in this situation.
* : The reason that the subject marker in the sentence (1) is “-wa” but that of sentence (2) is “-ga”
In the case of (1), “Watashi” is talking in front of the listener. The listener knows who the “Watashi” is. When what the subject has already been shared between the speaker and the listener, “-wa” is used for subject marker.
In the case of (2), the listener has not known who the subject is just before the utterance. When who the subject is is a new information to the listener, “-ga” is used for subject marker.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section41 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
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