Humble verbs (謙譲語)
go, come, be, do, say, see (said of yourself, humbly)
参る · おる · いたす · 申す · 拝見する · いただく · 伺う
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謙譲語 (humble language) lowers yourself, which raises the listener by comparison. The key verbs:
- 行く, 来る → 参る
- いる → おる
- する → いたす
- 言う → 申す
- 見る → 拝見する
- 食べる, もらう → いただく
- 聞く, 訪ねる → 伺う
They're for your own actions, and for your own side (family, company) when speaking to outsiders: 父は今、家におります, "my father is at home at the moment".
The first one everyone learns is 申す: 田中と申します, "my name is Tanaka", the standard self-introduction at work.
Register: Keigo: for your own actions, and your own family or company, when talking to outsiders.
Examples
明日、そちらに参ります。
I'll come to your office tomorrow.
はじめまして。田中と申します。
How do you do. My name is Tanaka.
その仕事は私がいたします。
I'll take care of that job.
父は今、家におります。
My father is at home at the moment.
お写真を拝見しました。
I've had a look at your photos.