Use these prefixes to speak politely about someone’s belongings or circumstances; some also make everyday words sound refined.
The idea
Generally お precedes native Japanese words, while ご precedes Sino-Japanese words: お荷物 and ご住所. Learn each combination in context, because the pattern has exceptions.
| Noun | Polite form |
|---|---|
| 名前 | お名前 |
| 住所 | ご住所 |
| 茶 | お茶 |
Examples
- お名前を教えてください。Please tell me your name.
- ご住所をこちらに書いてください。Please write your address here.
- ご家族はお元気ですか。Is your family well?
- お荷物をこちらに置いてください。Please put your luggage here.
- ご予約はありますか。Do you have a reservation?
- お茶をもう一杯、いかがですか。Would you like another cup of tea?
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Watch out
Do not attach a prefix to every noun. お名前 is an exception to the general pattern, and お茶 is an everyday established form, even when speaking about your own tea.
Try it yourself
＿名前を教えてください。（お／ご）
Show answer or example answer
お
名前 takes お: お名前 is the conventional polite form.
＿住所を書いてください。（お／ご）
Show answer or example answer
ご
住所 takes ご: ご住所 is the usual polite form.
＿茶をどうぞ。（お／ご）
Show answer or example answer
お
茶 takes お: お茶 is the established everyday word.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
＿名前を教えてください。（お／ご）
＿住所を書いてください。（お／ご）
＿茶をどうぞ。（お／ご）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Ask a guest for their name and address, then offer tea using the established forms.