御

JLPT N3

honorable, control

Readings

On’yomi: ギョ, ゴ (gyo, go)

Kun’yomi: お, み (o, mi)

• お – honorable (prefix used with native Japanese words) • み – honorable (used in formal/ancient expressions)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

御飯

ごはん

rice (polite)

御用

ごよう

business

御覧

ごらん

look (honorific)

制御

せいぎょ

control

防御

ぼうぎょ

defense

Example Sentences

御飯です。

ごはんです。

It is rice.

御用です。

ごようです。

It is business.

御覧ください。

ごらんください。

Please look.

制御します。

せいぎょします。

I control it.

防御します。

ぼうぎょします。

I defend.

Cultural Note

🙏 In modern Japanese, “御” (お / ご) is an essential part of keigo (敬語) — the honorific language system that expresses politeness and respect.
• Use お with native Japanese words (e.g., お茶, お金, お名前).
• Use ご with Sino-Japanese (Chinese-origin) words (e.g., ご家族, ご案内, ご意見).
It adds a layer of humility or respect depending on who you’re speaking to — an important nuance in Japanese etiquette.