A respectful expression (sonkeigo) used to describe an ongoing action or a continuing state of a respected person. It is the polite progressive form (〜ています) of the standard respectful pattern お/ご〜になる.
お + Verb [stem] + になっていますPrimary
ご + Noun [verbal] + になっています
This is a polite way to talk about what a respected person is doing now. It shows ongoing action or a state that continues.
社長はもうお帰りになっています。
The company president is already on their way home / has already gone home.
部長は昨日の会議でその件についてお話しになっていました。
The department head was speaking about that matter at yesterday's meeting.
申し訳ありませんが、山田様はまだお見えになっていません。
I'm very sorry, but Mr. Yamada has not arrived yet.
お客様がロビーでお待ちになっていますので、すぐにご案内いたします。
The customer is waiting in the lobby, so I will guide them right away.
田中様は、現在こちらのサービスをご利用になっています。
Mr. Tanaka is currently using this service.
This phrase can mean two things. It can mean someone is doing something right now. Or it can mean someone has already done something, and that state continues. Imagine a light switch: 'on' can mean the act of turning it on, or that it is currently on.
This is like saying 'is doing' or 'is in a state' for someone you respect. It is very polite. Another form, '〜になっています', is also polite. But it is used in less formal situations. This form is also more polite than '〜ていらっしゃいます'.
Watch out: Do not use this form for yourself. This form shows respect to others. You use a different form to show humility about yourself. For example, say "I will carry your bag" humbly. Do not say "I am respectfully carrying your bag" about yourself.
Don't use this when talking about yourself. For example, don't say '私は本を読んでになっています'. This phrase shows respect. You use it for people you look up to. These are people like your boss or a customer. You do not use it for yourself. You also do not use it for your family. You do not use it for your co-workers. This is true when you talk to someone outside your group.
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.