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Japanese Honorifics Explained: -san, -kun, -chan, -sama and -sensei
When to use -san, -kun, -chan, -sama and -sensei, what happens if you use none, and a simple rule that keeps you safe in real conversations.
Tap a highlighted Japanese word to see its reading and meaning.
In this article (5)
Japanese attaches small words to names to show respect, closeness and the relationship between people. They are called honorifics (). Anime uses all of them, which makes them look more complicated than they are.
The short answer
When you are not sure, use -san after the person's name. It is polite and neutral. It works for almost everyone you meet as an adult learner: colleagues, teachers' assistants, shop staff, and new friends.
The common honorifics
| Honorific | Typical use | Feeling |
|---|---|---|
| -さん (-san) | Anyone you are not very close to | Polite, neutral |
| -くん (-kun) | Boys and young men; a senior speaking to a junior | Friendly, a little casual |
| -ちゃん (-chan) | Children, close friends, family, pets | Affectionate, cute |
| -様 (-sama) | Customers, guests, people of high status | Very respectful |
| -先生 (-sensei) | Teachers, doctors, lawyers, artists you respect | Professional respect |
| -先輩 (-senpai) | Someone who joined your group before you | Respect within a group |
You can read more about the last one in what senpai means.
Details that matter
- Names go family name first. 山田さん (Yamada-san) is more common than using a first name, especially with people you do not know well.
- Never use an honorific for yourself. You say your name without it. Adding "-san" to your own name sounds strange.
- Using no honorific is not neutral. It can mean very close friends, or it can sound rude or aggressive. A beginner should not drop it with someone new.
- -kun and -chan are not strictly "boy" and "girl". A teacher may call a girl -kun in some settings, and close friends of any gender may use -chan. Context decides.
- -sama is mostly for service and formal situations. At a shop you may hear お客様 ("honored customer"). Between friends it would sound like a joke.
A few examples
- 田中さん、おはようございます。Good morning, Tanaka-san.
- 山田先生、ありがとうございました。Thank you, Yamada-sensei.
- たろうくん、こっちに来て。Taro-kun, come here.
Many people in Japan are happy to be called by a first name plus -san once you become friends. Let them lead: if they start using your first name, you can follow.
Learn by hearing them
Honorifics are easiest to learn when you hear them in real situations, then copy the pattern. If you want to build natural Japanese from anime and manga, see our online class or start with how to read manga in Japanese.