お〜する
I humbly do, I am obliged to do, Humble speech
Structure
ご(1) + する［Verb］ + する
(1) お, limited to ［する］Verbs like: 電話する、勉強する、散歩する
Explanation
お〜する is a pattern derived from a category of polite Japanese known as humble speech (謙譲語 - kenjōgo). This form of speech is used when talking about oneself or one's own actions. It contrasts with honorific language (尊敬語 - sonkeigo), which is used exclusively when referring to the listener or their actions. Functionally, お〜する is the humble equivalent of the plain verb する, just as お～になる is its honorific counterpart.
As a general rule, お〜する is paired with native Japanese words (和語 - wago), whereas ご～する is used with words of Chinese origin (漢語 - kango). This structure is formed by attaching する to the ます-stem of most verbs.
- 私が駅までお送りします。I will escort you to the station.
- この件についてご説明します。I will explain this matter.
Caution
Although する attaches to the ます-stem of a verb in this pattern, this doesn't mean that existing する verbs will become しする. For verbs that are already a noun + する construction, you simply add the ご prefix to the noun part.
- ご予約する方はこのボタンを押してください。For those who wish to make a reservation, please press this button.
- ご出発する時は、必ず鍵をお返しください。When you depart, please be sure to return your key.
In a few instances, お may be used with words of Chinese origin instead of ご. There isn't a clear-cut rule for this, so these exceptions must be memorized as you encounter them.
- 家族とお食事するのが楽しみです。I look forward to dining with my family.
- 週末にお洗濯するのは大変です。It is a lot of work to do laundry on the weekend.
Fortunately, the Sino-Japanese words that take お instead of ご are extremely common. This means you will naturally be exposed to nearly all of them quite early in your studies. You can assume that all other Sino-Japanese words use ご.
Fun Fact
Just as お～になる is a more widely used alternative to なさる (both being honorific), お〜する serves as a more common equivalent of いたす (both being humble speech).
- 荷物運びをお手伝いします。I'll help carry the luggage.
- 荷物運びをお手伝いいたします。I'll help carry the luggage.
Examples
駅までお送りします。
I will humbly take you to the station.
何かお手伝いしましょうか。
Shall I humbly help you with anything?
新しい商品をお見せします。
I will humbly show you the new products.
道をお教えします。
I will humbly show you the way.
この本は明日お返しします。
I will humbly return this book tomorrow.
部長、こちらで少々お待ちします。
Chief, I will humbly wait here for a moment.
私が部長にお話しします。
I will be the one to humbly speak with the department manager.
ご自宅までお届けします。
I will humbly deliver it to your home.
必ず間に合うよう、お約束します。
I humbly promise that I will make sure it is on time.
先生に詳しいことをお尋ねしました。
I humbly asked the teacher for the details.
こちらのパソコンをお使いしてもよろしいでしょうか？
May I humbly use this computer?
社長からその話をお聞きしたのは先週です。
I humbly heard that story from the president last week (and felt honored).