お

Meaning & usage

お is a polite prefix placed before nouns and before the masu stem of some verbs to show respect or to make speech sound softer and more polite. It often marks things belonging to the listener or another person, as in お子さん or お金, and appears in set polite expressions like おはよう and おやすみなさい. It is mainly used with native Japanese words in polite conversation and is not attached freely to every noun.

Example sentences 6

1. お金かねは十分じゅうぶんにあるんです。

   We have enough money.

2. 二人だけでお話ししたいのですが。

   May I talk with you in private about the matter?

3. お子さんたちはおいくつですか。

   How old are your children?

4. スミスさんにお会いしたいのですが。

   I would like to see Mr Smith.

5. パパ、おやすみなさい。

   Good night, Dad.

6. お話があるのですが。

   I have something to tell you.