using 美化語 in 謙譲語 verb forms does not make sense, right?


So, 美化語 is used to create honorifics: お名前 ご注文 etc.

But, the standard way to create the 謙譲語 form of verbs is: お＋[verb stem] +
いたします

That does not make logical sense to modify the action that you are performing
with an honorific "お", right? There is nothing about this paradox that would
help with understanding 敬語 in a broader context。Every language has its
idiosyncrasies. Assigning 美化語 to action you perform is just something to
memorize, right? I don't care about etymology. So, memorize and move on to the
next topic?




Prefixing a word with `お` or `ご` does not necessarily make it an honorific.
The following is an example of humble speech (謙譲語):

> 先生へのお手紙

...while this is an example of honorific language (尊敬語):

> 先生からのお手紙

Notice that both phrases use `お手紙`.

`美化語` does _not_ mean honorific. `美化語` is used to make one's speech sound more
refined (`美化` = beautification, `語` = word/language). Therefore, `美化語` is
frequently used in regular polite speech. The following are examples of `美化語`:

> 菓子 -> お菓子
>
> 酒 -> お酒

Note that not all words that are prefixed with `お` or `ご` are examples of
`美化語`. For instance,

> 先生のお名前

is an example of 尊敬語.




Prefixing a word with `お` or `ご` does not necessarily make it an honorific.
The following is an example of humble speech (謙譲語):

> 先生へのお手紙

...while this is an example of honorific language (尊敬語):

> 先生からのお手紙

Notice that both phrases use `お手紙`.

`美化語` does _not_ mean honorific. `美化語` is used to make one's speech sound more
refined (`美化` = beautification, `語` = word/language). Therefore, `美化語` is
frequently used in regular polite speech. The following are examples of `美化語`:

> 菓子 -> お菓子
>
> 酒 -> お酒

Note that not all words that are prefixed with `お` or `ご` are examples of
`美化語`. For instance,

> 先生のお名前

is an example of 尊敬語.

