Ways to Address People

Table of Contents

1. Are different honorifics necessary?
2. Formal honorifics
3. Familiar honorifics
4. Summary
5. Similar Articles
6. Comment

Q: Is it necessary to use different honorifics after a person’s name?

A: Yes, it is necessary.
In Japanese, the honorifics added after a person’s name are used differently depending on your relationship with that person and the situation.
For example, polite honorifics are used for people you are meeting for the first time or for people to whom you should show respect, while more familiar honorifics are used for people you are close to.
This time, let’s look at how the common Japanese honorifics “殿どの“, “様さま“, “さん”, “くん”, and “ちゃん” are used.

Formal honorifics

In formal situations, or when speaking to someone who should be shown respect, honorifics such as “殿どの“, “様さま“, and “さん” are used.
However, rather than simply ranking them as “which one is the highest,” each of them is used in different situations.

[① 殿どの]

“殿どの” is an old and highly formal honorific that was originally used for people of high status.
In modern Japanese, it is hardly ever used in everyday conversation and is mainly used in written language.

For example, it may appear in formal documents such as official papers, certificates of commendation, and written notices.
In other words, “殿どの” is not an expression commonly used in conversation today, but rather one that is used in especially formal written documents.

[② 様さま]

“様さま” is an honorific used when showing a high level of respect to someone.
It can be used in both written and spoken Japanese.
It is basically used in the form of “name + 様さま” and is often seen in letters, emails, notices, and customer service.
Also, in Japan, store staff generally say “お客きゃく様さま” in order to show respect to customers.

[③ さん]

“さん” is the most widely used polite honorific in Japanese.
It is used in many different situations, such as at work, at school, and in the neighborhood.

In Japan, it is uncommon to call someone you have just met without any honorific.
When you are not yet close to the other person, it is natural to use “family name + さん” or “given name + さん.”

[Example]
A：はじめまして。わたしは木村きむらまりです。
B：× 木村きむら／まり ですね。よろしく。
　 〇 木村きむらさん／まりさん ですね。よろしく。
A: Nice to meet you. I’m Mari Kimura.
B: 〇 Kimura-san / Mari-san, right? Nice to meet you.

However, although “さん” is polite, it is more natural to use the more respectful “様” for people who require a particularly high level of respect, such as customers or business clients.

[Example] (When calling customer)
△ お客きゃくさん ⇒ 〇 お客きゃく様さま

[④ 氏し]

“氏し” is an honorific mainly used in written language, and it is often seen in newspapers, news reports, magazines, and business writing.
It is hardly ever used in conversation, and people are not usually addressed as “氏し” in everyday life.
“氏し” is an expression that shows a certain level of respect while also giving a somewhat objective and formal impression.
For this reason, it is used more often when explaining or introducing a person than when expressing personal closeness.
For example, in newspaper articles and news reports, it may be used in forms such as “田中たなか氏し.”

[Examples]
田中たなか氏しは会議かいぎで新あたらしい方針ほうしんを説明せつめいしました。

Mr. Tanaka explained the new policy at the meeting.

新聞しんぶんでは、その研究けんきゅう者しゃを「佐藤さとう氏し」と紹介しょうかいしていました。
In the newspaper, that researcher was introduced as “Mr. Sato.”

In this way, “氏し” is often used in formal written language, but it is not an honorific that is widely used in everyday conversation like “さん.”

Familiar honorifics

[くん・ちゃん]

“くん” and “ちゃん” are used for people you are close to, such as friends and family.
In many cases, they are used with a person’s given name rather than their family name.

Some learners may wonder, “If even classmates are called with さん when you first meet them, when do people start using くん or ちゃん?”
In general, these forms begin to be used once the relationship becomes closer.

In Japanese, calling someone by their given name itself often shows closeness.
Because of this, before people become close, both adults and children often use “family name + さん.”

Also, it is not always as simple as saying that “くん” is for males and “ちゃん” is for females.
They can also be used when addressing children or when speaking in an affectionate way, so the way they are used can vary a little depending on the person and the situation.

[Exception: How names are used in news reports and newspapers]

In newspapers and news reports, children are generally referred to with “くん” or “ちゃん”, while adults may be referred to with “さん” or “氏し“.
This is a style of address that is somewhat different from everyday conversation and is characteristic of the media.

Summary

• It is important to use Japanese honorifics differently depending on your relationship with the other person and the situation.
• “殿どの“: Used in formal written language.

• “様さま“: Used when expressing a high level of respect.

• “さん”: The most common honorific, and can also be used for people you meet for the first time.

• “氏し“: A formal written honorific mainly used in newspapers, news reports, and written texts.
• “くん” and “ちゃん”: Often used for people with whom you have a close relationship.

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