召し上がる

• Reading: めしあがる
• Romaji: meshiagaru
• Kanji breakdown: 召 (shou/me) — summon, call; 上 (jou/a/ue) — up, above, rise
• Pronunciation: /me.ɕi.a.ɡa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To eat; to drink. The honorific form of 食べる and 飲む, used to show respect to the person eating or drinking.

A special Group 1 (godan) honorific verb (尊敬語). Used when respectfully referring to someone else eating or drinking — never about yourself. The polite command form どうぞ召し上がってください (please help yourself) is extremely common at meals and in hospitality settings.

Examples

1. どうぞ召し上がってください。 Please help yourself.
2. お客様はもう召し上がりましたか。 Has the guest already eaten?
3. 温かいうちに召し上がったほうがいいですよ。 You should eat it while it's still warm.

Usage Guide

Context: dining, hospitality, formal occasions

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Compound of 召す (mesu, honorific to do) and 上がる (agaru, to rise/eat). Both components carry honorific weight, making this a double-honorific expression.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Upper/formal