お～ (polite prefix)

• Reading: お
• Romaji: o
• Formation: お + Noun / お + Adjective / お + Verb stem

Meaning

A prefix attached to nouns, adjectives, and some verbs to express politeness, respect, or refinement. It elevates the social register of the word it modifies.

The prefix お is one of the most fundamental markers of polite speech in Japanese. It attaches primarily to words of native Japanese origin (和語), while ご is used for Sino-Japanese words (漢語), though there are many exceptions such as お電話 and お時間. Some words have become inseparable from お through frequent use, such as お茶, お風呂, and お金, to the point where dropping the prefix sounds unnatural. Overuse of お can sound affected or overly formal, so learners should be mindful of context. In women's speech traditionally, お was used more liberally, but modern usage has become more gender-neutral.

Examples

1. お茶を一杯いかがですか。 Would you like a cup of tea?
2. お名前を教えていただけますか。 Could you tell me your name?
3. お忙しいところ、すみません。 I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: polite

Do Say

• お水をもう一杯ください。
• お元気でお過ごしでしょうか。
• お天気がいいので散歩しましょう。
• お手紙ありがとうございます。

Don't Say

• おパソコンが壊れました。(お is not used with katakana loanwords — just say パソコン) → パソコンが壊れました。
• おビールを飲みたいです。(お is generally not attached to foreign loanwords — say ビール) → ビールを飲みたいです。
• お私の意見は違います。(お cannot be used with personal pronouns — say 私の) → 私の意見は違います。

Origin & History

Derived from the honorific prefix 御 (o/go/on), used since the Heian period to show reverence. Originally reserved for nobility and sacred contexts, it gradually spread into everyday polite speech.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal