召す

めす
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

To call or send for someone; to summon or invite (honorific; somewhat archaic).

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

急に具合が悪くなったので、医者を召した。

He suddenly became ill, so he sent for a doctor.

部長は係長をお呼び召した。

The manager summoned the assistant manager.

2

To eat or drink (honorific). Often archaic or literary; used in polite set expressions.

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

お客様はもうお食事を召されましたか。

Has the guest already eaten?

どうぞゆっくりお茶を召してください。

Please enjoy (drink) your tea at your leisure.

陛下は昼食を召された後、庭園をご覧になった。

After His Majesty had his lunch, he viewed the garden.

3

To put on or wear clothing (honorific; e.g., お召しになる).

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

そのドレスはお客様によくお似合いで、お召しになりますと華やかです。

That dress suits the guest well; when she wears it she looks splendid.

お召しになる着物はどちらのものですか。

Which kimono are you going to wear?

お年寄りが黒い帽子をお召しになっていた。

An elderly person was wearing a black hat.

4

To buy or purchase (honorific/archaic usage).

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

王は新しい馬を一頭召されたという記録が残っている。

Records say the king purchased (or procured) a new horse.

5

To take a bath (honorific/soft expression; somewhat archaic).

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

お母様はもうお風呂を召しましたので、少し休んでいます。

Mother has already taken a bath and is resting a little.

6

To ride or get into (a vehicle) — honorific/archaic usage.

U-VerbIntransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

公は馬に召して出発された。

The lord mounted his horse and departed.

7

To catch a cold — a polite/euphemistic expression (e.g., 風邪を召す).

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

お祖母様が風邪を召されたので、今日は来訪を控えました。

My grandmother caught a cold, so I refrained from visiting today.

寒い屋外で長時間いると風邪を召す恐れがあります。

Staying outside in the cold for a long time risks catching a cold.

8

To grow older / to age — polite euphemism (as in お年を召す).

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

最近はお年を召してお体の調子が優れないようです。

Lately, it seems their health hasn't been good as they've grown older.

9

To please someone; to be to someone's liking (as in お気に召す).

U-VerbIntransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

この色合いはお客様のお気に召しましたでしょうか。

Is this color scheme to the customer's liking?

あの写真が彼のお気に召したようだ。

It seems that photo pleased him.

10

Used sometimes in literary/archaic contexts as an honorific equivalent of 'to do'. Rare in modern speech.

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

彼は何を召しているのか、誰にも分からなかった(文語的表現)。

No one knew what he was doing (literary expression).

11

In older/literary usage, a euphemism for committing seppuku (to disembowel oneself). Very limited and archaic.

U-VerbTransitive VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

史書には、その武将が恥を受けて腹を召したと記されている。

Historical records state that the general, shamed, committed seppuku.

12

An auxiliary/honorific verb attached to the -masu stem of verbs to express respect (literary/archaic). E.g., お読み召す.

OtherU-VerbHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

先生はその報告書をお読み召した。

The teacher read that report (honorific/literary).

お客様はしばらくお待ち召してください。

Please wait for a moment (honorific/literary).

Masu-Form召します
Nai-Form召さない
Ta-Form召した
Te-Form召して
Ba-Form召せば
Volitional Form召そう
Imperative Form召せ
Potential Form召せる
Passive Form召される
Causative Form召させる
Causative Passive Form召させられる