A respectful way to state that someone of higher status has done something. This is the past tense, polite form of the standard sonkeigo (respectful language) pattern お/ご + Verb [stem] + になる.
お + Verb [stem] + になりましたPrimary
ご + Verb [stem] + になりました
This is a very polite way to say someone important did something. It is used for actions that are finished.
社長はすでにお帰りになりました。
The company president has already returned home.
部長は昨日の会議で、新しいプロジェクトについてご説明になりました。
The department head explained the new project at yesterday's meeting.
先生がその本をお書きになりましたので、早速購入いたしました。
Since the professor wrote that book, I purchased it immediately.
お客様はまだお決まりになりませんでしたか。
Have you (the customer) not decided yet?
お客様、長旅でお疲れになりましたでしょう。どうぞごゆっくりお休みください。
You must be tired from your long journey. Please rest well.
Think of お and ご like two different keys. Each key opens a different type of Japanese verb. お opens verbs that are purely Japanese. ご opens verbs that come from Chinese words.
This form is for past actions. It is more polite than "お/ご...になった." That form is less formal. For actions happening now or in the future, use "お/ご...になります." Do not confuse this with humble verbs. Humble verbs are for your own actions.
Don't use this when you talk about yourself. For example, don't say "私が本をお読みになりました" (I read a book). This pattern is for talking about other people. You use it for people you respect. For yourself, use humble words. Or use normal polite words. Like "〜ました".
More formal alternatives(1)
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