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Who is showing the way? Use a humble expression to describe the service you provide for the other person.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 3

ご〜いたします・お〜いたしますgo~ itashimasu / o~ itashimasu

humbly provide a service

Use ご〜いたします or お〜いたします for a formal, humble service you or your staff provide to a guest.

How it works

  1. Who is showing the way? Use a humble expression to describe the service you provide for the other person.

    Who is showing the way? Use a humble expression to describe the service you provide for the other person.

  2. When welcoming guests or formally presenting a service, 「いたします」 sounds formal and polite.

    When welcoming guests or formally presenting a service, 「いたします」 sounds formal and polite.

  3. Sino-Japanese words such as 「案内」 and 「説明」 usually take 「ご」, followed by 「いたします」.

    Sino-Japanese words such as 「案内」 and 「説明」 usually take 「ご」, followed by 「いたします」.

  4. Remove 「ます」 from 「手伝います」, then add 「お」 before it and 「いたします」 after it.

    Remove 「ます」 from 「手伝います」, then add 「お」 before it and 「いたします」 after it.

  5. You can also describe actions by staff on your side; do not use this form for a guest’s actions.

    You can also describe actions by staff on your side; do not use this form for a guest’s actions.

  6. In the example, 「お手伝い」 is followed by 「いたします」. Keep both 「い」 characters.

In the example, 「お手伝い」 is followed by 「いたします」. Keep both 「い」 characters.

Example sentences

  • ご案内ごあんないgoannaiいたしますitashimasuご説明ごせつめいgosetsumeiいたしますitashimasu

    I will guide you I will explain to you

  • お知らせおしらせoshiraseいたしますitashimasuお手伝いおてつだいotetsudaiいたしますitashimasu

    I will inform you I will help you

In a conversation

  • A
    これより境内けいだいをご案内ごあんないいたします。

    A: I will now guide you around the temple grounds.

  • B
    ありがとうございます。本殿ほんでんはわどちらですか？か

    B: Thank you. Where is the main hall?

  • A
    参道さんどうをまっすぐ進んだ先すすんださきにございます。係員かかりいんがお手伝いおてつだいいたします。

    A: It is located straight down the approach. Our staff will assist you.

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    I will guide you through the route of the exhibition room.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    展示室の順路を____。

    I will guide you through the exhibition room route.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜といったらtypical association with a topic
  • とても〜ないcannot possibly do
  • 〜はもちろん・〜はもとよりnot only; but also
  • 〜させていただきますhumbly do with permission
  • ご〜いたします・お〜いたしますhumbly provide a service
  • 〜つもりだintend to; believe one did
  • 〜ように思うseem; I think
  • 〜ておりますformal humble action or state
  • 〜かねますcannot accommodate a request
  • 〜ことに（は）to one’s surprise; interestingly
  • 〜だけあって・〜だけのことはあるas expected; worth it
  • 〜ついでにwhile at it; taking the opportunity
Previous〜させていただきますNext〜つもりだ

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