Japanese honorifics are a complex system of addressing other people, much like the \u201cMr.\/Sir\u201d and \u201cMs.\/Madame\u201d in English. And just like their English counterparts, there are instances where you can use them\u2014and ones where you can’t.<\/p>\n
Read on to learn more about the most common Japanese honorifics. Some of them you may have heard of, while others may surprise you.<\/p>\n
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Ahhh, the famous \u3055\u3093.<\/em> It’s arguably the most common Japanese honorific.\u00a0<\/p>\n That’s because it’s used in both formal<\/a> and informal<\/a> situations. It’s generally okay to use for anyone, especially when you’re not sure which honorific to go for.<\/p>\n \u5f7c\u306f\u9234\u6728\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u304b\u308c\u306f \u3059\u305a\u304d\u3055\u3093<\/strong> \u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 He is Suzuki-san.<\/p>\n \u3055\u3093 can also be used to refer to companies and shops to imply respect for whatever that establishment itself may be, as well as the people who might be representing it.<\/p>\n It’s really quite a versatile honorific. You can use it to refer to your dog, your favorite animated character\/bag\/food or even the Easter Bunny! You can give a toy bear to a child and say:<\/p>\n \u3053\u308c\u306f\u304f\u307e\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3067\u3059\uff01 (This is Mr. Bear!)<\/p>\n In the wonderful world of \u3055\u3093,<\/em> you might even be able to use it while cooking:<\/p>\n \u934b\u306b\u30a8\u30d3\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3068\u30ab\u30cb\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3092\u3044\u3063\u3071\u3044\u5165\u308c\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01 (\u306a\u3079\u306b\u3048\u3073\u3055\u3093\u3068\u304b\u306b\u3055\u3093\u3092\u3044\u3063\u3071\u3044\u3044\u308c\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01) \u30fc Let’s put plenty of Mr. Shrimp and Mr. Crab into the pot!<\/p>\n You might have heard\u00a0\u541b in an anime<\/a>,<\/em> usually referring to a boy of school age.<\/p>\n \u541b is generally used to address young males. It can also be used for any man (or sometimes woman!) who entered a company after the person addressing them.<\/p>\n \u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3001\u660e\u65e5\u306e\u4f1a\u8b70\u306e\u8cc7\u6599\u3092\u4f5c\u6210\u3057\u3066\u304f\u308c\u308b\u304b\u3044\u3001\u7530\u4e2d\u304f\u3093<\/strong>\uff1f (\u304a\u3064\u304b\u308c\u3055\u307e\u3001\u3042\u3059\u306e\u304b\u3044\u304e\u306e\u3057\u308a\u3087\u3046\u3092\u3055\u304f\u305b\u3044\u3057\u3066\u304f\u308c\u308b\u304b\u3044\u3001\u305f\u306a\u304b\u304f\u3093<\/strong>\uff1f) \u2014 Good job, Tanaka-kun, could you prepare the materials for tomorrow’s meeting?<\/p>\n It can also be used by women when they speak of their boyfriends, husbands or really close male friends. There are a lot of times when you’ll hear a woman attach \u541b with a certain fondness behind her words.<\/p>\n \u3061\u3083\u3093 is one funny honorific. It often refers to people, things or animals that are adorable, sweet or endearing.<\/p>\n It’s usually used to address or talk about babies, young boys and girls, teenage girls, girlfriends, boyfriends or even a male friend that you find to be kind of cheeky and too close to warrant a \u3055\u3093.<\/em><\/p>\n Don’t use it with a superior or a not-too-close male friend, though\u2014unless you want to get fired or punched!<\/p>\n \u4eca\u65e5\u306f\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u904a\u3073\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u306d\u3001\u3055\u304f\u3089\u3061\u3083\u3093<\/strong>\uff01 (\u304d\u3087\u3046\u306f\u3044\u3063\u3057\u3087\u306b\u3042\u305d\u3073\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u306d\u3001\u3055\u304f\u3089\u3061\u3083\u3093<\/strong>\uff01) \u2014 Let’s play together today, Sakura-chan!<\/p>\n You’re not going to encounter \u6c0f often out loud, but it’s actually a common honorific in writing.<\/p>\n It’s used mainly in the news when talking or writing about a famous person or notable figure (or really, anyone in the news) that one doesn’t know personally. It can also be used instead of a pronoun once the person in question has been established.<\/p>\n Keep this in mind when you’re studying your newspaper kanji<\/a>!<\/p>\n \u4eca\u5e74\u306e\u8b1b\u6f14\u4f1a\u306b\u306f\u3001\u6709\u540d\u306a\u5fc3\u7406\u5b66\u8005\u3001\u7530\u6751\u6c0f<\/strong>\u304c\u51fa\u5e2d\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3053\u3068\u3057\u306e\u3053\u3046\u3048\u3093\u304b\u3044\u306b\u306f\u3001\u3086\u3046\u3081\u3044\u306a\u3057\u3093\u308a\u304c\u304f\u3057\u3083\u3001\u305f\u3080\u3089\u3057<\/strong> \u304c\u3057\u3085\u3063\u305b\u304d\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 This year’s lecture will be attended by the renowned psychologist, Mr. Tamura.<\/p>\n \u69d8 is a more formal version of \u00ad\u3055\u3093.<\/p>\n It’s usually used to refer to customers, those of higher rank or someone who’s earned (or just warrants) your respect. Customers of any kind of shop or service are automatically given the “utmost respect” status, so you’ll certainly have heard this if you’ve ever gone shopping in Japan<\/a>.<\/p>\n You may have already encountered it in common Japanese phrases<\/a> such as \u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8 (\u304a\u3064\u304b\u308c\u3055\u307e) \u2014 “good work” and \u3054\u82e6\u52b4\u69d8 (\u3054\u304f\u308d\u3046\u3055\u307e) \u2014 “thank you for doing this work for me”.<\/p>\n In period dramas, or if you’re visiting the home of a martial artist, you may also hear \u4e0a<\/strong> (\u3046\u3048) which literally means \u201cabove.\u201d So you may hear someone’s father referred to as \u7236\u4e0a (\u3061\u3061\u3046\u3048). But this is quite rare (or even outdated), which is why I didn’t include a separate entry for it.<\/p>\n For now though, just stick to \u69d8 for companies and respected people, and you’ll be off to a great start.<\/p>\n \u304a\u8d8a\u3057\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u3001\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u7686\u69d8<\/strong>\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u6709\u76ca\u306a\u60c5\u5831\u3092\u304a\u4f1d\u3048\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u304a\u3053\u3057\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u3001\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u307f\u306a\u3055\u307e<\/strong>\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u3086\u3046\u3048\u304d\u306a\u3058\u3087\u3046\u307b\u3046\u3092\u304a\u3064\u305f\u3048\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Thank you for coming. Everyone, I will share valuable information with all of you.<\/p>\n Another honorific heavily used in anime and Japanese series<\/a>, \u5148\u8f29 is used to address a senior in your school, work, club or any other group you might belong to. For example, if you’re a sophomore, a freshman in your college is going to call you \u5148\u8f29.<\/em><\/p>\n Also, you won’t necessarily need a name to use \u5148\u8f29. <\/em>It’s an honorific that can stand on its own.<\/p>\n The opposite of \u5148\u8f29, <\/em>which is \u5f8c\u8f29<\/strong> (\u3053\u3046\u306f\u3044) \u2014 junior, is going to sound super condescending if used to refer to someone\u2014with or without a name. I’d stay away from ever using that as a suffix!<\/p>\n \u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3001\u5148\u8f29<\/strong>\u3002 (\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3001\u305b\u3093\u3071\u3044<\/strong>\u3002) \u2014 Good morning, Senpai.<\/p>\n You might already know that this one is used to refer to teachers, but \u5148\u751f is also used to address people in general who are experts in their respective fields.<\/p>\n It can refer to people of science (doctors, biologists, physicists), the arts (novelists, painters, musicians, manga artists), law and politics (politicians, lawyers, judges) and masters of martial arts.<\/p>\n Like \u5148\u8f29, it can be used as a stand-alone title\u2014and is so often used this way that you may actually forget the real name of whoever you’re referring to!<\/p>\n \u5148\u751f<\/strong>\u3001\u8cea\u554f\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u305b\u3093\u305b\u3044<\/strong>\u3001\u3057\u3064\u3082\u3093\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Sensei, I have a question.<\/p>\n \u6bbf is a tricky little honorific that’s usually used when the person you’re referring to is at the same level as you, but needs to be shown a bit more respect than usual.<\/p>\n Not commonly used, it roughly has the meaning of “master” or “lord,” but it’s definitely not used in that context anymore for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n \u7530\u4e2d\u6bbf<\/strong>\u3001\u3054\u5354\u529b\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u3001\u8aa0\u306b\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u305f\u306a\u304b\u3069\u306e<\/strong>\u3001\u3054\u304d\u3087\u3046\u308a\u3087\u304f\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u3001\u307e\u3053\u3068\u306b\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Mr. Tanaka, thank you very much for your cooperation.<\/p>\n This is pretty standard, but can be exchanged for a lot of variations depending on your relationship. \u89aa\u7236 (\u304a\u3084\u3058) \u2014 “dad” or “old man” can be used affectionately or somewhat rudely to refer to an older gentleman. Careful!<\/p>\n \u304a\u7236\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u4ed5\u4e8b\u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u304a\u3068\u3046\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u3057\u3054\u3068\u304a\u3064\u304b\u308c\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Father, thank you for your hard work.<\/p>\n A lot of the time, you can drop the \u304a prefix when speaking to your own mother.<\/p>\n \u304a\u6bcd\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u308c\u306f\u7f8e\u5473\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002 (\u304a\u304b\u3042\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u308c\u306f\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002) \u2014 Mother, this is delicious, isn’t it?<\/p>\n You can also use this one to describe an older man you may or may not know\u2014but be careful! You don’t want to call a 30-something an “old man” and ruin someone’s day.<\/p>\n Another variation to watch out for is the rude \u304a\u3063\u3055\u3093 (something like “geezer”).<\/p>\n \u304a\u3058\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u3058\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Uncle, how are you?<\/p>\n You might have heard people in TV shows using this for women they don’t know but perceive to be older women. You can imagine how much trouble this could get you into!<\/p>\n \u304a\u3070\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u624b\u4f1d\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u3070\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u3066\u3064\u3060\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Aunt, shall I help?<\/p>\n I’d save this one for people who are obviously senior citizens, if used at all. But using it with your own grandfather is fine. If you want to refer to someone else’s grandfather, use \u7956\u7236 (\u305d\u3075).<\/p>\n \u304a\u3058\u3044\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u4eca\u65e5\u3082\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002 (\u304a\u3058\u3044\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3082\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002) \u2014 Grandfather, you seem energetic today, too.<\/p>\n The rules that apply to “grandfather” apply to this one as well. If you want to talk about someone else’s grandmother, use \u7956\u6bcd (\u305d\u307c).<\/p>\n \u304a\u3070\u3042\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u6614\u8a71\u3092\u805e\u304b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 (\u304a\u3070\u3042\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u3080\u304b\u3057\u3070\u306a\u3057\u3092\u304d\u304b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002) \u2014 Grandma, please tell me a bedtime story.<\/p>\n Use this for your (or someone’s) actual brother, or just a young man whose name you don’t know.<\/p>\n \u304a\u5144\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u4f55\u3057\u3066\u308b\u306e\uff1f (\u304a\u306b\u3044\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u306a\u306b\u3057\u3066\u308b\u306e\uff1f) \u2014 Big brother, what are you doing?<\/p>\n Again, the rules that apply to older brothers also apply to this one. \u304a\u59c9\u3055\u3093 is also used to refer to young women. I’d opt for this one as opposed to \u304a\u3070\u3055\u3093 if you want to be polite.<\/p>\n \u304a\u59c9\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u4eca\u5ea6\u306e\u9031\u672b\u3001\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u8cb7\u3044\u7269\u306b\u884c\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u306d\u3048\u3055\u3093<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u3093\u3069\u306e\u3057\u3085\u3046\u307e\u3064\u3001\u3044\u3063\u3057\u3087\u306b\u304b\u3044\u3082\u306e\u306b\u3044\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Big sister, would you like to go shopping together this weekend?<\/p>\n You can use this to refer to your own younger brother or someone else’s younger brother.<\/p>\n \u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u306e\u5f1f<\/strong>\u306f\u9ad8\u6821\u751f\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u305f\u306a\u304b\u3055\u3093\u306e\u304a\u3068\u3046\u3068<\/strong>\u306f\u3053\u3046\u3053\u3046\u305b\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Mr. Tanaka’s younger brother is a high school student.<\/p>\n The same rules above apply here: \u59b9 can refer to your younger sister or someone else’s.<\/p>\n \u5c71\u7530\u3055\u3093\u306e\u59b9<\/strong>\u306f\u5927\u5b66\u3067\u4e2d\u56fd\u8a9e\u3092\u52c9\u5f37\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3084\u307e\u3060\u3055\u3093\u306e\u3044\u3082\u3046\u3068<\/strong>\u306f\u3060\u3044\u304c\u304f\u3067\u3061\u3085\u3046\u3054\u304f\u3054\u3092\u3079\u3093\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Ms. Yamada’s younger sister is studying Chinese at university.<\/p>\n Some notes on using honorifics within families:<\/p>\n This refers to the president or chief executive officer (CEO) of a company.<\/p>\n \u793e\u9577<\/strong>\u3001\u4eca\u6708\u306e\u4e88\u7b97\u5831\u544a\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u3057\u3083\u3061\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u3093\u3052\u3064\u306e\u3088\u3055\u3093\u307b\u3046\u3053\u304f\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 President, here is this month’s budget report.<\/p>\n Also translated as “Deputy President,” the \u526f\u793e\u9577 is second in rank to the President or CEO and helps the latter manage the company’s affairs.<\/p>\n \u526f\u793e\u9577<\/strong>\u3001\u6b21\u306e\u4f1a\u8b70\u306e\u30a2\u30b8\u30a7\u30f3\u30c0\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u3075\u304f\u3057\u3083\u3061\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3001\u3064\u304e\u306e\u304b\u3044\u304e\u306e\u3042\u3058\u3047\u3093\u3060\u3092\u304b\u304f\u306b\u3093\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 Vice President<\/strong>, I’ve confirmed the agenda for the next meeting.<\/p>\n The \u90e8\u9577 is in charge of a specific department within a company. You can easily tell which department someone is managing based on the word before \u90e8\u9577, such as \u55b6\u696d\u90e8\u9577 (\u3048\u3044\u304e\u3087\u3046\u3076\u3061\u3087\u3046) \u2014 head of the sales department or \u4eba\u4e8b\u90e8\u9577 (\u3058\u3093\u3058\u3076\u3061\u3087\u3046) \u2014 head of the human resources department.<\/p>\n \u90e8\u9577<\/strong>\u3001\u65b0\u30e1\u30f3\u30d0\u30fc\u306e\u5c0e\u5165\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u610f\u898b\u3092\u805e\u304b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 (\u3076\u3061\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3001\u3057\u3093\u3081\u3093\u3070\u30fc\u306e\u3069\u3046\u306b\u3085\u3046\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3044\u3051\u3093\u3092\u304d\u304b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002) \u2014 Department Head, please share your opinions on the introduction of new members.<\/p>\n The \u8ab2\u9577 is a level below the \u90e8\u9577. They’re responsible for managing and supervising the team within their designated section in the department.<\/p>\n \u8ab2\u9577<\/strong>\u3001\u30d7\u30ed\u30b8\u30a7\u30af\u30c8\u306e\u9032\u6357\u72b6\u6cc1\u3092\u5831\u544a\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304b\u3061\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3001\u3077\u308d\u3058\u3047\u304f\u3068\u306e\u3057\u3093\u3061\u3087\u304f\u3058\u3087\u3046\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3092\u307b\u3046\u3053\u304f\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Section Chief, could you report on the progress of the project?<\/p>\n The \u4fc2\u9577, in turn, ranks below the \u8ab2\u9577. They’re responsible for managing their designated unit within their section.<\/p>\n \u65b0\u3057\u3044\u30d7\u30ed\u30b8\u30a7\u30af\u30c8\u306e\u9032\u6357\u7ba1\u7406\u306f\u3001\u4fc2\u9577<\/strong>\u306e\u8cac\u4efb\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u3042\u305f\u3089\u3057\u3044\u3077\u308d\u3058\u3047\u304f\u3068\u306e\u3057\u3093\u3061\u3087\u304f\u304b\u3093\u308a\u306f\u3001\u304b\u304b\u308a\u3061\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u306e\u305b\u304d\u306b\u3093\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 It’s the responsibility of the team leader to manage the progress of the new project.<\/p>\n \u5f0a\u793e is a humble or modest way of referring to one’s own company. The use of \u5f0a (\u3078\u3044) adds a sense of self-deprecation or humility. It’s commonly used in business communication<\/a>, documents or formal situations when talking about the company to parties outside the company.<\/p>\n \u5f0a\u793e<\/strong>\u306e\u30d3\u30b8\u30e7\u30f3\u306f\u3001\u9769\u65b0\u7684\u306a\u30c6\u30af\u30ce\u30ed\u30b8\u30fc\u3092\u6d3b\u7528\u3057\u3001\u793e\u4f1a\u306b\u8ca2\u732e\u3059\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u3078\u3044\u3057\u3083<\/strong>\u306e\u3073\u3058\u3087\u3093\u306f\u3001\u304b\u304f\u3057\u3093\u3066\u304d\u306a\u3066\u304f\u306e\u308d\u3058\u30fc\u3092\u304b\u3064\u3088\u3046\u3057\u3001\u3057\u3083\u304b\u3044\u306b\u3053\u3046\u3051\u3093\u3059\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Our company’s vision is to leverage innovative technology and contribute to society.<\/p>\n \u81ea\u793e is a more neutral (and literal) way to refer to one’s own company. As you know,\u00a0\u81ea (\u3058) means “self” or “own,” while\u00a0\u793e (\u3057\u3083) means “company” or “firm.”<\/p>\n It’s often used in business contexts when discussing anything related to one’s own company, products or services. For example, \u81ea\u793e\u88fd\u54c1 (\u3058\u3057\u3083\u305b\u3044\u3072\u3093) would mean “in-house products” or products manufactured by one’s own company.<\/p>\n \u81ea\u793e<\/strong>\u88fd\u54c1\u306e\u54c1\u8cea\u7ba1\u7406\u306f\u975e\u5e38\u306b\u53b3\u683c\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u3058\u3057\u3083<\/strong>\u305b\u3044\u3072\u3093\u306e\u3072\u3093\u3057\u3064\u304b\u3093\u308a\u306f\u3072\u3058\u3087\u3046\u306b\u3052\u3093\u304b\u304f\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 The quality control of our in-house products is extremely rigorous.<\/p>\n \u8cb4\u793e is a polite and respectful way to refer to another person’s or another company’s business. You’ll usually see it in formal written communication like business letters.<\/p>\n \u8cb4\u793e<\/strong>\u306e\u63d0\u6848\u306b\u611f\u8b1d\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u304d\u3057\u3083<\/strong>\u306e\u3066\u3044\u3042\u3093\u306b\u304b\u3093\u3057\u3083\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 We appreciate your company’s proposal.<\/p>\n \u5fa1\u793e is similar to \u8cb4\u793e, though you’ll more often hear the former in formal conversations when addressing or mentioning another company with a high level of respect.<\/p>\n \u5fa1\u793e<\/strong>\u306e\u62c5\u5f53\u8005\u306b\u304a\u4f1d\u3048\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 (\u304a\u3093\u3057\u3083<\/strong>\u306e\u305f\u3093\u3068\u3046\u3057\u3083\u306b\u304a\u3064\u305f\u3048\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002) \u2014 Please convey it to your company’s representative.<\/p>\n \u5f53\u793e can be either “our company”, “your company” or “this company”.<\/p>\n \u5f53\u793e<\/strong>\u306e\u53d6\u7de0\u5f79\u4f1a\u306f\u3001\u6b21\u4e16\u4ee3\u6280\u8853\u306e\u5c0e\u5165\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u8b70\u8ad6\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3068\u3046\u3057\u3083<\/strong>\u306e\u3068\u308a\u3057\u307e\u308a\u3084\u304f\u304b\u3044\u306f\u3001\u3058\u305b\u3060\u3044\u304e\u3058\u3085\u3064\u306e\u3069\u3046\u306b\u3085\u3046\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u304e\u308d\u3093\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Our company’s board of directors is discussing the implementation of next-generation technologies.<\/p>\n \u5263\u8056 literally translates to “Sword Saint.” As you might’ve guessed, it refers to someone who has a legendary or near-legendary level of swordsmanship.<\/p>\n \u5263\u8056<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u898b\u4e8b\u306a\u5263\u8853\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002 (\u3051\u3093\u305b\u3044<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u307f\u3054\u3068\u306a\u3051\u3093\u3058\u3085\u3064\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002) \u2014 Master, your swordsmanship is splendid.<\/p>\n In the context of sumo wrestling, \u89aa\u65b9 refers to a stablemaster or coach. He’s usually a retired sumo wrestler himself who’s reached a certain rank and is now responsible for running the stable and training the wrestlers.<\/p>\n It can also be a broad term for “mentor,” especially in traditional Japanese crafts and apprenticeship systems.<\/p>\n \u89aa\u65b9<\/strong>\u3001\u5f1f\u5b50\u305f\u3061\u304c\u6e96\u5099\u5b8c\u4e86\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u304a\u3084\u304b\u305f<\/strong>\u3001\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3061\u304c\u3058\u3085\u3093\u3073\u304b\u3093\u308a\u3087\u3046\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 Master, the disciples are ready.<\/p>\n In many traditional martial arts, addressing an instructor as \u5e2b\u5320 is a formal and respectful way of acknowledging their role as a guide in the practitioner’s martial arts journey. The term is commonly used in various Japanese martial arts disciplines such as karate and judo.<\/p>\n \u5e2b\u5320<\/strong>\u3001\u79c1\u306b\u3082\u3063\u3068\u6559\u3048\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 (\u3057\u3057\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b\u3082\u3063\u3068\u304a\u3057\u3048\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002) \u2014 Master, please teach me more.<\/p>\n In the context of sumo wrestling, \u95a2 refers to high-ranking sumo wrestlers, including the rank of \u6a2a\u7db1 (\u3088\u3053\u305a\u306a). \u6a2a\u7db1 is the grand champion of sumo, and the title is the highest achievable rank in the sport.<\/p>\n \u5f7c\u306f\u4eca\u3084\u76f8\u64b2\u754c\u306e\u9802\u70b9\u306b\u7acb\u3064\u3001\u307e\u3055\u306b\u95a2<\/strong>\u306e\u5730\u4f4d\u306b\u3075\u3055\u308f\u3057\u3044\u5b58\u5728\u3067\u3059\u3002 (\u304b\u308c\u306f\u3044\u307e\u3084\u3059\u3082\u3046\u304b\u3044\u306e\u3061\u3087\u3046\u3066\u3093\u306b\u305f\u3064\u3001\u307e\u3055\u306b\u305b\u304d<\/strong>\u306e\u3061\u3044\u306b\u3075\u3055\u308f\u3057\u3044\u305d\u3093\u3056\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 He now stands at the pinnacle of the sumo world, truly deserving of the status of Yokozuna.<\/p>\n This term can be used broadly to describe Buddhist clergy in general, rather than just monks.<\/p>\n \u6cd5\u5e2b<\/strong>\u69d8\u3001\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306b\u7948\u308a\u3092\u6367\u3052\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 (\u307b\u3046\u3057\u3055\u307e\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306b\u3044\u306e\u308a\u3092\u3055\u3055\u3052\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002) \u2014 Monk-sama, please offer prayers for us.<\/p>\n \u795e\u7236 literally means “god father” and is\u00a0used to address or refer to Catholic priests in Japan.<\/p>\n \u795e\u7236<\/strong>\u3001\u7d50\u5a5a\u5f0f\u3092\u57f7\u308a\u884c\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3057\u3093\u3077<\/strong>\u3001\u3051\u3063\u3053\u3093\u3057\u304d\u3092\u3068\u308a\u304a\u3053\u306a\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Father, we will hold the wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n If you’re wondering how Protestant pastors are referred to in Japan, \u7267\u5e2b is the usual term for it.<\/p>\n \u7267\u5e2b<\/strong>\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u4e16\u8a71\u306b\u306a\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u307c\u304f<\/strong>\u3057\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u305b\u308f\u306b\u306a\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Pastor-san, thank you for taking care of us.<\/p>\n This is used after the titles “Emperor” or “Empress.” You’ll likely see this in reports regarding the goings-on of the Imperial family.<\/p>\n \u965b\u4e0b<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u5f85\u3061\u3057\u3066\u304a\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u3078\u3044\u304b<\/strong>\u3001\u304a\u307e\u3061\u3057\u3066\u304a\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 Your Majesty, we have been waiting for you.<\/p>\n This is used after other titles like “King” or “Queen” to mean something similar to “his\/her Highness”<\/p>\n \u6bbf\u4e0b<\/strong>\u3001\u3054\u6a5f\u5acc\u3044\u304b\u304c\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u3067\u3093\u304b<\/strong>\u3001\u3054\u304d\u3052\u3093\u3044\u304b\u304c\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Your Highness, how are you feeling?<\/p>\n If you ever happen to be in the presence of a princess (or you’re joking around with a girl you’re trying to impress), this honorific is your friend.<\/p>\n \u738b\u5973<\/strong>\u69d8\u3001\u304a\u5fd9\u3057\u3044\u4e2d\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u304a\u3046\u3058\u3087<\/strong>\u3055\u307e\u3001\u304a\u3044\u305d\u304c\u3057\u3044\u306a\u304b\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Princess-sama, thank you for taking the time in your busy schedule.<\/p>\n You may have heard this one in Japanese dramas<\/a> or anime. It’s either affixed with \u69d8 as in \u738b\u5b50\u69d8\uff08\u304a\u3046\u3058\u3055\u307e) for “Prince Charming,” or it’s tacked on to a name, such as \u30cf\u30ea\u30fc\u738b\u5b50 (\u306f\u308a\u30fc\u304a\u3046\u3058) for “Prince Harry.”<\/p>\n \u738b\u5b50<\/strong>\u69d8\u306f\u3001\u738b\u56fd\u306e\u672a\u6765\u3092\u62c5\u3046\u91cd\u8981\u306a\u5f79\u5272\u3092\u679c\u305f\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u304a\u3046\u3058<\/strong>\u3055\u307e\u306f\u3001\u304a\u3046\u3053\u304f\u306e\u307f\u3089\u3044\u3092\u306b\u306a\u3046\u3058\u3085\u3046\u3088\u3046\u306a\u3084\u304f\u308f\u308a\u3092\u306f\u305f\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 The prince is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the kingdom.<\/p>\n This is used for Prime Ministers, ambassadors, etc.<\/p>\n \u95a3\u4e0b<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u306e\u8a08\u753b\u306b\u95a2\u3059\u308b\u3054\u610f\u898b\u3092\u304a\u805e\u304b\u305b\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304b\u3063\u304b<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u306e\u3051\u3044\u304b\u304f\u306b\u304b\u3093\u3059\u308b\u3054\u3044\u3051\u3093\u3092\u304a\u304d\u304b\u305b\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Your Excellency, could you please share your opinions on this plan?<\/p>\n On the other hand, \u5927\u7d71\u9818 is for presidents of a state such as \u30d0\u30a4\u30c7\u30f3\u5927\u7d71\u9818 (\u3070\u3044\u3067\u3093\u3060\u3044\u3068\u3046\u308a\u3087\u3046) \u2014 President Biden.<\/p>\n \u30d0\u30a4\u30c7\u30f3\u5927\u7d71\u9818<\/strong>\u306f\u3001\u6b74\u53f2\u7684\u306a\u6f14\u8aac\u3067\u4e16\u754c\u306b\u611f\u52d5\u3092\u4e0e\u3048\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u3070\u3044\u3067\u3093\u3060\u3044\u3068\u3046\u308a\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u306f\u3001\u308c\u304d\u3057\u3066\u304d\u306a\u3048\u3093\u305c\u3064\u3067\u305b\u304b\u3044\u306b\u304b\u3093\u3069\u3046\u3092\u3042\u305f\u3048\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 President Biden delivered an inspiring speech that moved the world.<\/p>\n As you’ve seen, most honorifics are used as suffixes\u2014i.e., they come after the name of the person they’re being used for. Sometimes, they can stand on their own. Knowing what they are is very important to understanding Japanese culture<\/a>.<\/p>\n If your head is already spinning from all of these honorifics, here are some general rules to follow:<\/p>\n I can’t stress it enough: Never use an honorific to refer to yourself. It’s considered cocky and a sign of bad manners.<\/p>\n This may seem like common sense, but when you need to use an honorific, use it. Even if you’re not sure, use it!<\/p>\n When referring to someone else (or even to your company), be sure to use the appropriate honorific as needed. Failing to do so might result in appearing arrogant or ill-mannered.<\/p>\n Honorifics are generally tied to all the other forms of polite speech in Japanese\u2014most notably with the –\u307e\u3059 form.<\/p>\n If you’re not sure about which suffix to use, use this polite form as a buffer.<\/p>\n When talking about a member of your family<\/a>, you can drop the honorific. For example, you can refer to your sister without using \u3061\u3083\u3093 or your father with something as cheeky as \u89aa\u7236 if you’re talking among good friends.<\/p>\n Let me clarify that. The only honorific you can drop is the one referring to the person you’re talking to\u2014not the honorifics relating to other people not present.<\/p>\n For example, if you’re talking with your girlfriend, best friend or dog, feel free to drop that honorific. It shows intimacy.<\/p>\n Now don’t get me wrong. It’s usually a good idea to copy native speakers to learn vocabulary, expressions and everyday idioms<\/a>.<\/p>\n But honorifics are an exception.<\/p>\n Most of the younger generation of Japanese\u2014mainly those born after 1980\u2014often prefer to hear their names without the honorifics, giving a casual air even among people they don’t know that well.<\/p>\n But as a student of Japanese, you really don’t want to assume this is the case. You need to understand the proper use of honorifics before making any potentially awkward slip-ups.<\/p>\n It helps to listen out for them in conversations, TV shows and videos to really get to know their usage before you start dropping them. For instance, on the language learning platform FluentU<\/a>, you can see these honorifics in action. FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n2. \u541b (\u304f\u3093) \u2014 Kun<\/h2>\n
3. \u3061\u3083\u3093 \u2014 Chan<\/h2>\n
4. \u6c0f (\u3057) \u2014 <\/em>Shi<\/h2>\n
5. \u69d8 (\u3055\u307e) \u2014 Sama<\/h2>\n
6. \u5148\u8f29 (\u305b\u3093\u3071\u3044) \u2014 Senpai<\/h2>\n
7. \u5148\u751f (\u305b\u3093\u305b\u3044) \u2014 Sensei<\/h2>\n
8. \u6bbf (\u3069\u306e) \u2014 Dono<\/h2>\n
9. <\/strong>\u7236 (\u3061\u3061) \/\u00a0 <\/strong>\u304a\u7236\u3055\u3093 (\u304a\u3068\u3046\u3055\u3093) <\/strong>\u2014 Father \/ Dad<\/h2>\n
10. \u6bcd (\u306f\u306f) \/ <\/strong>\u304a\u6bcd\u3055\u3093 (\u304a\u304b\u3042\u3055\u3093) <\/strong>\u2014 Mother \/ Mom<\/h2>\n
11. \u304a\u3058\u3055\u3093 (<\/strong>Uncle)<\/h2>\n
12. \u304a\u3070\u3055\u3093 (<\/strong>Aunt)<\/h2>\n
13. \u304a\u3058\u3044\u3055\u3093<\/strong> (Grandpa)<\/h2>\n
14. \u304a\u3070\u3042\u3055\u3093<\/strong> (Grandma)<\/h2>\n
15. <\/strong>\u5144 (\u3042\u306b) \/<\/strong>\u304a\u5144\u3055\u3093 (\u304a\u306b\u3044\u3055\u3093) <\/strong>\u2014 Big Brother<\/h2>\n
16. \u59c9 (\u3042\u306d) \/ \u304a\u59c9\u3055\u3093 (\u304a\u306d\u3048\u3055\u3093) <\/strong>\u2014 Big Sister<\/h2>\n
17. \u5f1f (\u304a\u3068\u3046\u3068) <\/strong>\u2014 Younger Brother<\/h2>\n
18. \u59b9 (\u3044\u3082\u3046\u3068) <\/strong>\u2014 Younger Sister<\/h2>\n
\n
19. \u793e\u9577 (\u3057\u3083\u3061\u3087\u3046) <\/strong>\u2014 President<\/h2>\n
20. \u526f\u793e\u9577 (\u3075\u304f\u3057\u3083\u3061\u3087\u3046)<\/strong> \u2014 Vice President<\/h2>\n
21. \u90e8\u9577 (\u3076\u3061\u3087\u3046)<\/strong> \u2014 Department Head<\/h2>\n
22. \u8ab2\u9577 (\u304b\u3061\u3087\u3046)<\/strong> \u2014 Section Head<\/h2>\n
23. \u4fc2\u9577 (\u304b\u304b\u308a\u3061\u3087\u3046) <\/strong>\u2014 Team Leader<\/h2>\n
24. \u5f0a\u793e (\u3078\u3044\u3057\u3083) <\/strong>\u2014 “Our Company” (Humble)<\/h2>\n
25. \u81ea\u793e (\u3058\u3057\u3083) <\/strong>\u2014 “Our Company” (Neutral)<\/h2>\n
26. \u8cb4\u793e (\u304d\u3057\u3083) <\/strong>\u2014 “Your Honorable Company” (Written)<\/h2>\n
27. \u5fa1\u793e (\u304a\u3093\u3057\u3083) <\/strong>\u2014 “Your Honorable Company” (Spoken)<\/h2>\n
28. \u5f53\u793e (\u3068\u3046\u3057\u3083) <\/strong>\u2014 “Our\/Your\/This Company” (Neutral)<\/h2>\n
29. \u5263\u8056 (\u3051\u3093\u305b\u3044) <\/strong>\u2014 Master Swordsman<\/h2>\n
30. \u89aa\u65b9 (\u304a\u3084\u304b\u305f) <\/strong>\u2014 Sumo Coach<\/h2>\n
31. \u5e2b\u5320 (\u3057\u3057\u3087\u3046) <\/strong>\u2014 Martial Arts Coach<\/h2>\n
32. \u95a2 (\u305b\u304d) <\/strong>\u2014 High-ranking Sumo Wrestlers<\/h2>\n
33. \u6cd5\u5e2b (\u307b\u3046\u3057) <\/strong>\u2014 Buddhist Monk<\/h2>\n
34. \u795e\u7236 (\u3057\u3093\u3077) <\/strong>\u2014 Catholic Priest<\/h2>\n
35. \u7267\u5e2b (\u307c\u304f\u3057) <\/strong>\u2014 Protestant Pastor<\/h2>\n
36. \u965b\u4e0b (\u3078\u3044\u304b) \u2014Your Majesty
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n37. \u6bbf\u4e0b (\u3067\u3093\u304b) \u2014 Your Highness
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n38. \u738b\u5973 <\/strong>(\u304a\u3046\u3058\u3087) \/ <\/strong>\u59eb (\u3072\u3081) \u2014 Princess
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n39. \u738b\u5b50 (\u304a\u3046\u3058) \u2014 Prince
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n40. \u95a3\u4e0b (\u304b\u3063\u304b) \u2014 Your Excellency
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n41. \u5927\u7d71\u9818 (\u3060\u3044\u3068\u3046\u308a\u3087\u3046) \u2014 President
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nHow to Use Japanese Honorifics<\/h2>\n
Use honorifics for others, not for yourself.<\/h3>\n
Use honorifics when they’re needed.<\/h3>\n
Use honorifics with polite speech.<\/h3>\n
Drop honorifics when referring to family (usually).<\/h3>\n
Drop honorifics with people very close to you.<\/h3>\n
Learn proper usage before dropping honorifics.<\/h3>\n