お～する (humble action)

• Reading: おする
• Romaji: o~suru
• Formation: お + Verb stem (masu-stem) + する

Meaning

A humble expression used when the speaker describes their own action performed for the benefit of someone of higher status. It lowers the speaker's position to show respect to the listener or a third person.

お～する is one of the core humble (謙譲語) patterns in Japanese. The speaker wraps their own verb stem with お…する to indicate that the action is directed toward or benefits someone they wish to show deference to. It is commonly used in business, customer service, and formal social interactions. The pattern can be further elevated to お～いたす for even greater humility. Note that this pattern only applies to actions the speaker performs — using it for someone else's actions is a common mistake. The verb stem used must be of native Japanese origin; for Sino-Japanese verbs, ご～する is used instead (e.g. ご連絡する).

Examples

1. 先生の荷物をお持ちします。 I will carry the teacher's luggage.
2. お客様をお部屋までお案内します。 I will guide the customer to the room.
3. 詳しい資料をお送りします。 I will send you the detailed materials.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, business

Tone: humble

Do Say

• 駅までお送りしましょうか。
• その件についてお調べします。
• 社長にお伝えしておきます。

Don't Say

• 先生がお持ちします。(Using お～する for someone else's action — お～する is humble and only for the speaker's own actions) → 先生がお持ちになります。
• 友達の荷物をお持ちします。(Using お～する toward a friend is overly formal — say 持つよ or 持ちます) → 友達の荷物を持つよ。

Origin & History

This humble pattern developed during the Muromachi period as part of the keigo (敬語) system. Combining the honorific お with する emphasises that the speaker's action is performed in service to a superior.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal