{"id":987514924,"date":"2025-08-20T10:19:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T13:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dokidokijapan.com\/blog\/japanese-honorifics-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them-correctly-in-the-language\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T03:53:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T06:53:01","slug":"japanese-honorifics-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them-correctly-in-the-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dokidokijapan.com\/en\/blog\/japanese-honorifics-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them-correctly-in-the-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Honorifics: What They Are and How to Use Them Correctly in the Language"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-30px||-30px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>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 &#8220;etiquette&#8221; mistakes. In this article, we explain what they are, why they matter, and how to use them well.  <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;What are Japanese honorifics?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>In Japan, calling someone by their first name alone, without honorifics, can be considered impolite even among acquaintances. Japanese honorifics\u2014also called Japanese suffixes\u2014are particles that are added to the end of a person&#8217;s name (or title) to indicate respect or proximity. This system is part of keish\u014d (\u656c\u79f0), which encompasses both suffixes and honorific prefixes.  <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the context and relationship (age, hierarchy, educational level), the appropriate suffix is chosen. For example, calling a teacher a &#8220;sensei&#8221; or a co-worker with &#8220;san&#8221; reflects not only grammar, but social behavior. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;The importance of honorifics in Japanese culture&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Getting it wrong \u2014 for example, using a very intimate suffix where formality is needed \u2014 can cause discomfort or seem disrespectful, especially when we&#8217;re talking about customers, superiors, or authority figures.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Main Japanese Honorific Suffixes and Their Use&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;-san (\u3055\u3093): General and respectful use&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>-San<\/strong> 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.  <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;-sama (\u69d8): Use in very formal contexts or to show great respect&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>-Sama<\/strong> 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.  <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;-kun (\u541b): Use with young men or among peers&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>-kun<\/strong> is used for young men, school boys or among male peers. Teachers also use &#8220;-kun&#8221; with male students, and in work settings a superior may refer to a young subordinate with this suffix. <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;-chan (\u3061\u3083\u3093): Affectionate use with children, close friends, or pets&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>-Chan<\/strong> 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.  <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Other suffixes: -sensei, -senpai, -shi, -dono, etc.&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>-sensei (\u5148\u751f):<\/strong> used for teachers, doctors, lawyers or renowned artists. Sometimes it is used alone, without a name, as a form of respect. <\/li>\n<li><strong>-senpai (\u5148\u8f29):<\/strong> to refer to someone with more experience or seniority in a group (class or job).<\/li>\n<li><strong>-shi (\u6c0f):<\/strong> used in formal written contexts, academic reports, or news, not when speaking directly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>-dono (\u6bbf):<\/strong> very formal, archaic, implies great respect or noble rank; today its use is almost ceremonial or literary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=&#8221;Learn Japanese honorifics and more with us&#8221; button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/dokidokijapan.com\/en\/online-courses\/course-150-hour\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Find out more&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; header_font=&#8221;Fredoka One||||||||&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#0C71C3&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; button_bg_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_radius=&#8221;25px&#8221; button_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||30px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_radii=&#8221;on|20px|20px|20px|20px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>With our Japanese course created by Japanese schools in Japan so that you can learn all the cultural and real Japanese part.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;How and When to Use Honorifics Correctly&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;General rules of use&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use <strong>-san<\/strong> if you don&#8217;t know the relationship well. He is always polite and functional. <\/li>\n<li>Adjust the honorific according to age, status, and context: <strong>-kun<\/strong> among young males, <strong>-chan<\/strong> with confidence or affection, <strong>-sama<\/strong> for maximum formality.<\/li>\n<li>Never use honorifics to refer to yourself\u2014it will be perceived as arrogant or childish.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Common mistakes and how to avoid them&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Using<strong> -chan<\/strong> with strangers or in formal settings may seem disrespectful.<\/li>\n<li>Skipping honorifics at work or school when addressing superiors or teachers is considered impolite.<\/li>\n<li>Mixing casual language with a formal honorific\u2014for example, &#8220;sama&#8221; along with informal grammar\u2014is inconsistent and unnatural.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Tips for Japanese Language Learners&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Notice how natives use honorifics in real-world contexts, such as anime or formal conversations.<\/li>\n<li>Practice with -san first, and then expand your use to -kun, -chan, or -sama depending on your confidence and context.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid changing honorifics without permission: for example, a Japanese person may say &#8220;call me by my name only (yobisute)&#8221; when they want closeness, but don&#8217;t do it yourself without being told to.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;The use of honorifics in different contexts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;In the workplace&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>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.  <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;At school and with friends&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Students call teachers -sensei, older classmates with -san or -senpai, and young classmates or friends with -kun or -chan, depending on confidence and gender.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;In Media and Pop Culture&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8220;etiquette&#8221; mistakes. In this article, we explain what they are, why they matter, and how to use them well. In Japan, calling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":987514926,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-987514924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-japanese"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Japanese Honorifics: What They Are and How to Use Them Correctly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Master the correct use of Japanese honorifics and learn real Japanese with our course in collaboration with schools in Japan.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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