prefix
honorific/polite/humble prefix
Attaches to nouns, adjectives, and some verbs to express respect, politeness, or humility. Usually used before kun-yomi words; the reading おん is more formal and less common.
See also: 御 (ご)
お茶をどうぞ。
Please have some tea.
お名前を教えてください。
Please tell me your name.
お待たせしました。
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Kana spelling is the norm in everyday writing.
ご is the honorific prefix used before on-yomi (Sino-Japanese) words, while お is used before kun-yomi (native Japanese) words. Both convey politeness or respect.
Derived from the kanji 御, which historically represented honorific usage. The reading お is a native Japanese prefix, while おん is a more formal Sino-Japanese reading.