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JLPT N4 · Polite & honorific language

いらっしゃる (irassharu)

いらっしゃる — honorific “be / come / go”

In short · いらっしゃる is the honorific verb for いる, 来る and 行く. You use it for the actions of someone you want to show respect to, such as a teacher or a customer.
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Pattern

  • いらっしゃいます(ます形) Polite form. The ます form is irregular: いらっしゃいます, not いらっしゃります
  • いらっしゃいませんか/いらっしゃいますか Polite questions: いらっしゃいますか (Is / Will ~ be there?)

Where it comes from

It is a special honorific verb that covers いる, 来る and 行く in one word; the context decides which one is meant. With ます it becomes いらっしゃいます, with an irregular い.

When to use it

Use it to raise teachers, customers, bosses and the like: 先生は教室にいらっしゃいます (be), 先生は明日こちらへいらっしゃいますか (come). いらっしゃいませ is a greeting that welcomes a customer.

Things to watch

Because it raises other people, never use it for yourself or your own family. For your side, use おります or 参ります.

Examples

  • 先生(せんせい)は教室(きょうしつ)にいらっしゃいます。

    Sensei wa kyōshitsu ni irasshaimasu.

    The teacher is in the classroom.

    Here it means “be” (いる).

  • 社長(しゃちょう)は今(いま)、部屋(へや)にいらっしゃいます。

    Shachō wa ima, heya ni irasshaimasu.

    The company president is in his room now.

  • 先生(せんせい)は明日(あした)、こちらへいらっしゃいますか。

    Sensei wa ashita, kochira e irasshaimasu ka.

    Will the teacher be coming here tomorrow?

    Here it means “come” (来る).

Common mistakes

  • Do not use it for your own actions. 私は学校にいらっしゃいます is wrong.
  • The ます form is いらっしゃいます, not いらっしゃります.

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