Usage & register · N3
Keigo basics: respectful vs humble viewpoint
The useful core of honorific Japanese is whose action you are describing.
In short
尊敬語 (respectful language) raises the person whose action is being described: いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, ご覧になる. 謙譲語 (humble language) presents the speaker or in-group modestly in relation to the other person: 伺う, 申す, 拝見する.
How it works
丁寧語 such as です/ます is a separate politeness layer and is a safe baseline in many situations.
Useful contrast
Keigo is not simply “replace every verb with a fancier verb”. Viewpoint, in-group/out-group and situation determine the form.
Examples
先生はいらっしゃいますか。
Is the teacher here? (respectful)
資料を拝見しました。
I looked at the materials. (humble)
Common pitfall
Never use a humble verb to describe the customer/teacher’s action just because it sounds more polite.