お～になる
To do (Honorific)
Structure
ご(1) + ［する］Verb + になる
いく・くる・いる ￫ おいでになる
(1) お, limited to ［する］Verbs like: 電話する、勉強する、散歩する
Explanation
The pattern お～になる (or ご～になる) is a form of honorific language used to show deference when speaking about the actions of someone else (but never your own). This structure functions very much like する, except it attaches to the ます stem of the verb being elevated.
- 先生がお戻りになるのは明日の午後です。The teacher will be returning tomorrow afternoon.
- どうぞ、こちらにお座りになってください。Please, have a seat over here.
- この料理にご満足になれば幸いです。I'll be very pleased if this dish satisfies you.
- 課長はどの説明会にご参加になるのですか？Section Chief, which information session will you be participating in?
The choice between using お and ご depends on the origin of the word. お typically precedes native Japanese words (kun-yomi), while ご is used with words derived from Chinese (on-yomi). Interestingly, both prefixes are written with the same kanji, with 御 being the kun-yomi reading and 御 being the on-yomi reading.
Fun Fact
Certain verbs, like いでる, appear almost exclusively within honorific language. A prime example is おいでになる (the お～になる form of いでる), which can mean 'to come', 'to go', or 'to be'. This versatility comes from the speaker's perspective when using honorifics, a concept we will explore in greater detail later.
Examples
社長はもうお戻りになりました。
The company president has already returned.
こちらの席をお使いになりますか。
Will you be using this seat?
先生は昨日お休みになったそうですよ。
I heard the teacher was on holiday yesterday.
部長がお作りになる資料はいつも完璧です。
The documents the department manager makes are always perfect.
お客様はどちらの商品にお決めになります？
Which product will you decide on, valued customer?
この本はもうご覧になりましたか。
Have you already seen this book?
先方の担当者様がお待ちになっています。
The representative from the other party is waiting.
お話しになった内容をお聞かせください。
Please tell me the details of what you spoke about.
お選びになった服をこちらへお持ちください。
Please bring the clothes you have chosen over here.
受付：「お名前をお聞きになりましたか？」
Receptionist: 'Did you get their name?'
お入りになる前に、ノックをお願いします。
Please knock before you enter.
皇后様は白いドレスをお召しになります。
The Empress will wear a white dress.