Use this humble pattern when your action concerns someone you wish to show respect to, such as a customer.
The idea
For many verbs, add お to the ます-stem and follow it with する: 持ちます becomes お持ちします. Many Sino-Japanese する verbs use ご plus the noun: 説明する becomes ご説明します. いたします is a more formal alternative to します.
| Verb | Humble form |
|---|---|
| 持つ | お持ちする |
| 送る | お送りする |
| 説明する | ご説明する |
Examples
- お荷物をお持ちします。I will carry your luggage.
- 駅までの道をお教えします。I will show you the way to the station.
- 明日、お電話します。I will call you tomorrow.
- 資料を後でお送りします。I will send you the documents later.
- 予定をご説明します。I will explain the schedule.
- お席までご案内します。I will guide you to your seat.
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Watch out
The pattern humbles the actor; do not use it to describe the respected person’s action. Not every verb fits this pattern: use established special forms such as 伺う when appropriate.
Try it yourself
持つ → お＿します。（持ち／持つ）
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持ち
持つ has the ます-stem 持ち, giving お持ちします.
送る → お＿します。（送り／送る）
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送り
送る has the ます-stem 送り, giving お送りします.
説明する → ＿説明します。（お／ご）
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ご
説明 is a Sino-Japanese verbal noun, so ご説明します is the usual form.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
持つ → お＿します。（持ち／持つ）
送る → お＿します。（送り／送る）
説明する → ＿説明します。（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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Offer to carry a customer’s bag and explain the schedule. Choose the stem or prefix that completes each humble expression.