お〜だ o ~ da

お〜だ（o ~ da）means “honorific 'be doing' (respectful state)”. An honorific pattern: 'お' plus a verb's ます-stem plus 'だ/です' to respectfully describe the subject's current state or action. Formation: お + V-ます（去ます）+ だ

honorific 'be doing' (respectful state)

N3

Formation

お + V-ます（去ます）+ だ

Explanation

An honorific pattern: 'お' plus a verb's ます-stem plus 'だ/です' to respectfully describe the subject's current state or action. Used to elevate the person you are talking about (e.g. a customer or superior). Compare the plainer 'お〜になる'.

Examples

社長はただいまお出かけです。
しゃちょうはただいまおでかけです。
The president is out at the moment.
お客様は何をお探しですか。
おきゃくさまはなにをおさがしですか。
What are you looking for, sir/madam?

Note

Verbs with a single-mora ます-stem (e.g. 見る→見) usually don't take this pattern; use other honorific forms instead.

FAQ

お〜だ — what does it mean and how is it used?

honorific 'be doing' (respectful state). An honorific pattern: 'お' plus a verb's ます-stem plus 'だ/です' to respectfully describe the subject's current state or action. Used to elevate the person you are talking about (e.g. a customer or superior). Compare the plainer 'お〜になる'.

お〜だ — how do you form it?

お + V-ます（去ます）+ だ

お〜だ — any usage notes?

Verbs with a single-mora ます-stem (e.g. 見る→見) usually don't take this pattern; use other honorific forms instead.

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