Meaning
お〜／ご〜 makes a word more polite and can show respect when referring to something connected with the listener.
Formation
- Usually お + native Japanese word: お名前, お茶, お仕事.
- Usually ご + Sino-Japanese word: ご家族, ご住所.
When to use it
- Polite everyday vocabulary
- Forms familiar service and etiquette words such as お水 and お茶.
- Respect for the listener
- Politely refers to the listener's name, family, address, work, and related matters.
Example
ご家族はお元気ですか
How is your family?
Important notes
- Word origin helps choose the prefix, but fixed expressions have exceptions, so it is useful to learn the whole form.
- Some instances of お and ご have become part of an ordinary word and do not always express separate respect.
Common mistakes
- Do not add a prefix automatically to every noun; some combinations are not used.
- Do not use a respectful prefix to elevate your own actions or belongings without an established language reason.