Japanese Honorifics: What They Are and How to Use Them Correctly in the Language

Japanese honorifics are small linguistic gems that reveal respect, hierarchy and closeness in each word. Even if they are only suffixes, their correct use makes the difference between sounding natural or making Japanese “etiquette” mistakes. In this article, we explain what they are, why they matter, and how to use them well.

In Japan, calling someone by their first name alone, without honorifics, can be considered impolite even among acquaintances. Japanese honorifics—also called Japanese suffixes—are particles that are added to the end of a person’s name (or title) to indicate respect or proximity. This system is part of keishō (敬称), which encompasses both suffixes and honorific prefixes.

Depending on the context and relationship (age, hierarchy, educational level), the appropriate suffix is chosen. For example, calling a teacher a “sensei” or a co-worker with “san” reflects not only grammar, but social behavior.

In Japan, language reflects social structure. The use of honorifics in everyday life shows not only courtesy but also awareness of the intra-group or external relationship (uchi-soto) and of formal or informal hierarchies.

Getting it wrong — for example, using a very intimate suffix where formality is needed — can cause discomfort or seem disrespectful, especially when we’re talking about customers, superiors, or authority figures.

-San is the most versatile and secure honorific. It is used to address adults of hierarchical or slightly higher equality, in formal and informal contexts alike. It can also be applied to stores, companies, and roles.

-Sama transmits a high respect. It is common to use it for clients, visitors, formal letters, deities, or people of very high status. It is never used for oneself, as it would be arrogant.

-kun is used for young men, school boys or among male peers. Teachers also use “-kun” with male students, and in work settings a superior may refer to a young subordinate with this suffix.

-Chan brings closeness, tenderness or affection. It is common with children, animals, family or close friends. It is not used in professional environments if there is no prior trust.

• -sensei (先生): used for teachers, doctors, lawyers or renowned artists. Sometimes it is used alone, without a name, as a form of respect.
• -senpai (先輩): to refer to someone with more experience or seniority in a group (class or job).
• -shi (氏): used in formal written contexts, academic reports, or news, not when speaking directly.
• -dono (殿): very formal, archaic, implies great respect or noble rank; today its use is almost ceremonial or literary.

• Use -san if you don’t know the relationship well. He is always polite and functional.
• Adjust the honorific according to age, status, and context: -kun among young males, -chan with confidence or affection, -sama for maximum formality.
• Never use honorifics to refer to yourself—it will be perceived as arrogant or childish.

• Using -chan with strangers or in formal settings may seem disrespectful.
• Skipping honorifics at work or school when addressing superiors or teachers is considered impolite.
• Mixing casual language with a formal honorific—for example, “sama” along with informal grammar—is inconsistent and unnatural.

• Notice how natives use honorifics in real-world contexts, such as anime or formal conversations.
• Practice with -san first, and then expand your use to -kun, -chan, or -sama depending on your confidence and context.
• Avoid changing honorifics without permission: for example, a Japanese person may say “call me by my name only (yobisute)” when they want closeness, but don’t do it yourself without being told to.

Here the language reflects hierarchy. For example, employees call their superiors with -san, while superiors may use -kun or nouns without a suffix if there is trust. With clients, -sama is used; among colleagues of equal rank, -san is usually used.

Students call teachers -sensei, older classmates with -san or -senpai, and young classmates or friends with -kun or -chan, depending on confidence and gender.

Anime and manga characters show the use of honorifics as part of the cultural stereotype: heroines are usually called among -chan, young heroes among -kun, while antagonists or formal figures use -san or -sama. They are also used in subtitles or translations to show respect or closeness to characters.