お~ (polite/softening prefix)

The honorific/beautifying prefix お~ (also ご~ for Sino-Japanese words) attached to nouns to add politeness, refinement, or softness. お茶 ('tea'), お母さん ('mother'), おしゃべり ('chatter'), お考え ('your thoughts'). With nouns referring to oneself or one's actions, it can sometimes feel affected; with nouns about the listener or shared concepts, it adds warmth or formality.