タグ: humble language

Japanese Learning (A7 S41): Asking a Person Superior to You to Do a Favor ; [V-te] kudasai masenka.

We have been learning the section 41 which introduce some giving/receiving sentences in respect of treatment expressions. The sentences so far from A1 through A6 are so-called declarative sentences in which a speaker say only what had really happened. But the sentences in the exercise A7 are not declarative sentences. The sentences have a function to exert an influence to a listener in conversation. Think about how to say you want to ask someone to do something. You may use “[V-te]+kudasai” which was introduced in the exercise A2, the section 14. Today’s sentence construction is to raise “[V-te]+kudasai” to be more polite to the level of honorific expressions as below;

– [V-te] + kudasai masenka.

And some examples;

1. Toukyou madeno Iki kata o Oshiete kudasai masenka.

(Would you please tell me how to get to Tokyo?)

2. Gohan o Sukunaku Shite kudasai masenka.

(Would you please make my rice a small portion?)

Sukunai : I-adjective ; few, a little amount

Since it is an I-adjective, when “Sukunai” modifies the verb “Suru/Shimasu”, it should be “Sukunaku”. Don’t say “Sukunaini”.

3. Koko de Oshaberi suru no wa Yamete kudasai masenka.

(Would you please stop chatting here?)

Oshaberi-suru/Oshaberi-shimasu : Verb : chat, talk

Refer to A1 S38 about “no wa”

When it comes to making a sentence for asking an honorific expression, we have already learned in the exercise A5 of the section 26. That was;

[V-te]+itadake masenka.

4. Shashin ga Hoshii n desuga, Dejitaru De’eta o Okutte itadake masenka.

(I need photographs, so could you please send me the digital data?)

In most of the cases, you can also say with today’s expression;

5. Shashin ga Hoshii n desuga, Dejitaru De’eta o Okutte kudasai masenka.

Then, what is the difference between “[V-te] itadake masenka” and “[V-te] kudasai masenka”? “[V-te] itadake masenka” is introduced much earlier, in the section 26, while “[V-te] kudasai masenka” in the section 41. Note that more basic, more important, and more widely used expressions are introduced earlier in Miina no Nihongo (“[V-te] kudasai” is in the section 14). So, when you find an expression that looks to have similar function to the expression you have already learned, check which section it was introduced. The earlier introduction means the more importance.

It is just my impression, though, “[V-te] itadake masenka” is slightly more often used than “[V-te] kudasai masenka”. Let me write a little about these two expressions;

-“[V-te] itadake masenka”

“itadake” is “Masu-form without ‘masu’” of potential form “Itadakeru/Itadakemasu” that comes from the verb “Itadaku/Itadakimasu”. And the verb “Itadaku/Itadakimasu” is the humble word of “Morau/Moraimasu”. Since it’s a humble word, the subject is usually “Watashi (I)”. In the context of “giving/receiving”, “Watashi” is the receiver. Therefore, “Itadaku” is the word when “Watashi” becomes humble for the receiving act. Plus, “Itadaku” has become the potential form “Itadakeru”. This adds a nuance of whether it’s possible or not.

– “[V-te] kudasai masenka”.

“kudasai” is “Masu-form without ‘masu’” of “Kudasaru/Kudasaimasu”, although a little bit caution is needed that “kudasai” is the euphonic form of “kudasari”. Anyway, the verb “Kudasaru/Kudasaimasu” is an honorific of “Kureru/Kuremasu”. Since it’s an honorific, the subject is a person who is superior to the speaker. In the context of “giving/receiving”, the subject of “Kudasaru” is the giver. Therefore, the word “Kudasaru” is to pay respect to the act of giving by the superior person

In the situation of asking to do something for you, and you are going to ask a person who is superior to you, which is better to use?

– itadake masenka : your act of receiving

– kudasai masenka : superior person’s act of giving

Probably many Japanese tend to steer clear of mention a superior person’s act. Rather, Japanese may think it is better to be humble about his/her own act. This is the reason I think people prefer “itadake masenka” to “kudasai masenka”.

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This post was written with reference to the exercise A7 on Section41 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”

Japanese learning (A1 S41): Making a More Polite Expression in case of Receiving (Morai mashita); Watashi wa [Superior Person] ni [Object] o Itadaki mashita.

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 in this section 41, honorific expressions of giving/receiving sentences are 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”