Imagine stepping off the Narita Express and hearing names tagged with “-san” or “-sama.” If you’ve ever felt like those little endings are secret codes, you’re not alone. Mastering japanese honorifics usage can make your Tokyo trip feel friendlier and smoother. By the end of this guide, you’ll confidently use key suffixes and prefixes in everyday encounters—from boarding trains to ordering sushi.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- A clear breakdown of main honorific suffixes and prefixes
- Tips on when to drop or swap titles without causing offense
- Real-world examples for transport, dining, shopping, and emergencies
- Practice ideas to boost your confidence
Let’s dive in and turn those honorifics from mystery into your travel superpower.
Japanese honorific basics
What are honorifics?
Honorifics are short suffixes or prefixes you attach to names or nouns. They signal respect, familiarity, or a social role. In Japanese, honorific speech—called keishō (敬称)—relies on those little tags more than English titles do (Wikipedia).
Why they matter
Using the right tag shows respect for hierarchy and relationship distance. Choosing the wrong title can lead to awkward moments or accidental rudeness. Getting comfortable with these markers will help you connect with locals and navigate social norms.
Tip: To see how honorifics fit into broader speech levels, check out our guide on japanese politeness levels.
Honorific suffix guide
Here’s a quick reference table to keep by your side:
| Suffix | Usage | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -san | General polite | Neutral | Tanaka-san |
| -sama | High respect | Formal | Okyaku-sama |
| -kun | Junior or informal | Friendly | Suzuki-kun |
| -chan | Affection or childlike | Cutesy | Yumi-chan |
| -sensei | Teachers, doctors, masters | Respect | Yamamoto-sensei |
| -shi | Formal writing or reporting | Formal | Abe-shi |
-san
This is your go-to tag. It’s like “Mr” or “Ms” and works in almost any context. Add it to surnames, given names, company names, and even professions. For example, you might hear “Starbucks-san” referring to the store or staff as a collective (Busuu).
When to use:
- Meeting someone new
- Calling a taxi driver by name
- Referring politely to service staff
-sama
Use this when you want to show great respect, similar to “Sir” or “Madam.” You’ll encounter it in formal correspondence, business cards, or when addressing customers. For instance, shop clerks often greet you with “Okyaku-sama” (honored guest) (Rosetta Stone).
When to use:
- Formal letters and emails
- High-end shops or luxury hotels
- Referring to deities or revered figures
-kun
This tag sits between polite and casual. It’s often used by seniors addressing juniors, especially males. Workplaces may see managers calling newer staff “Tanaka-kun,” regardless of gender in modern settings (Busuu).
When to use:
- Teachers to students
- Senior colleagues to juniors
- Close friends in a playful way
-chan
Feel-good tag for kids, close friends, or anything you find cute—from babies to puppies. It’s too informal for business, but perfect for nicknames among friends. Warning: using it with strangers can backfire (Busuu).
When to use:
- Children or pets
- Close friends or romantic partners
- Self-referential play in informal chat
-sensei and -shi
–sensei honors teachers, doctors, and masters. You might call your sushi instructor or piano teacher “Sato-sensei.”
–shi is rare in speech but common in reports, news articles, or legal writing to refer neutrally to public figures (e.g., “Abe-shi said…”).
Honorific prefix guide
Japanese also uses polite prefixes to elevate objects or concepts. The two main ones are:
o- and go-
Attach o- to native Japanese words (ocha for green tea, o-mise for shop). Attach go- to words of Chinese origin (go-kyouiku for education). These prefixes signal politeness toward the subject (Busuu).
Examples:
- o-genki desu ka? (How are you?)
- go-shujin (your husband)
Other prefixes
You might see mi- in Buddhist contexts or meshi- for meals in classical speech. These are less common but worth a nod if you explore temples or period dramas.
Dropping and mixing honorifics
When to omit suffixes
Dropping honorifics—called yobisute—signals intimacy. Spouses, siblings, and close friends often skip tags once a bond is clear. In clubs or teams with shared seniority, it’s also common. Younger people may even choose no tag when meeting casually (Wikipedia).
Risks of wrong usage
Calling someone without their tag too soon can seem rude or presumptuous. Conversely, overusing formal suffixes among friends might create distance. When in doubt, stick with -san until you’re invited to drop it.
Honorifics in everyday situations
Transportation and directions
On the train platform, you might hear “Yamada-san, please board quickly.” When asking for help, greet with “Sumimasen” then add “-san” to a station name or staff title.
For more on train announcements, see japanese train announcements translation.
If you need directions, check our tips on how to ask directions japanese.
Dining and restaurants
In casual eateries, you won’t call the chef by name. Instead, you’ll use general phrases like “Sumimasen” or “Onegaishimasu.” In higher-end sushi bars, you might address the chef as “Itamae-san.” For essentials, explore japanese restaurant phrases ordering.
Shopping and services
When a clerk helps you, you can say “Arigatou gozaimasu, tenin-san,” using -san with the word for clerk. If you know the employee’s name, add “-san” after it. Need more handy lines? Try japanese shopping phrases useful.
Emergencies and help
In an urgent moment, stay polite but clear. You might address paramedics as “Kyuu-kyu-sha-san” (ambulance staff) or police as “Keisatsu-san.” To learn vital lines, see our japanese emergency phrases.
Tips and tricks
Practice with real people
Language exchanges let you try honorifics in a safe zone. Toast with friends using “kampai-san” or role-play ordering ramen.
Study in context
Watch Tokyo dramas or YouTube vlogs and note how hosts use –san or –chan. Mimic their tone and pacing.
Avoid common mistakes
Mixing -sama in casual chats can feel awkward. For a quick checklist of pitfalls, see common japanese mistakes avoid.
Keep a cheat sheet
Print the suffix table above or save it on your phone. When in doubt, refer back to steady yourself.
FAQs
What if I’m unsure which honorific to use?
When in doubt, choose -san. It works almost everywhere and won’t offend.
Can I use -san for myself?
Generally no. Honorifics are for others. Referring to yourself with –san can seem playful or ironic but might confuse listeners.
Is it okay to drop honorifics with friends?
Yes, once you’re close. Wait for the other person to suggest it or follow the group norm.
How do I pronounce honorifics correctly?
Keep the vowels short and flat: “sah-n,” “sah-mah,” “koon,” “chahn.” For more on sounds, check japanese pronunciation guide.
Are Tokyo honorifics different from other regions?
Not significantly. Tokyoites might drop suffixes faster in casual settings, but the core rules stay the same everywhere in Japan.
Now you have the tools to navigate honorifics like a local. Try adding “-san” to names today and watch smiles bloom at your politeness. Good luck, and enjoy Tokyo with confidence!
