If you’ve ever watched Japanese anime or read manga, you’ve probably heard characters being called –san, –chan, –sensei, or –kun. These are Japanese honorifics, a key part of showing respect and defining relationships in Japanese society. While they might seem similar to titles like "Mr." or "Ms.," they’re actually much more intricate and influenced by cultural norms.

Honorifics in Japan aren’t just about politeness; they’re deeply tied to age, status, and familiarity between people. Knowing how and when to use them can help you navigate social situations with ease. Whether you’re a traveler, student, or just curious about Japanese culture, mastering honorifics is a great step toward understanding the language.

The main Japanese honorifics

San さん

"San" is one of the most common and versatile Japanese honorifics you’ll encounter. It’s a go-to option for addressing almost anyone politely, whether it’s a friend, coworker, or stranger. Unlike in English, where you might use "Mr." or "Ms." for formality, "-san" works for people of any age, gender, or social status. You’ll even see it used in business names, like "Hon-ya-san" (本屋さん) for a bookstore.

Chan ちゃん

The honorific "-chan" is one of the most casual and affectionate in Japanese, often used to address young women, children, or even pets. It’s believed to have originated from children mispronouncing "-san," which was seen as endearing and stuck in the language. You might use "-chan" for close friends, family members, or someone you have a strong fondness for, like a partner. Be careful, though! Using it with someone you’re not close to can come across as overly familiar or even rude.

Kun くん

"Kun" is a casual and often masculine honorific that’s commonly used for younger men, boys, or male friends. It’s frequently heard in schools or workplaces when someone senior is addressing a junior. Although it’s less common, "-kun" can sometimes be used for young women in specific, informal contexts. The politeness level is low, and its kanji (君) is also used for "kimi," a casual way to say "you." You’ll typically hear it used between classmates, with younger siblings, or among close coworkers. Men might use it with women they’re close to, but only if the relationship is friendly and informal.

Sama さま

"-Sama" is the ultimate honorific in Japanese and is reserved for formal and respectful interactions. It’s like leveling up from "-san" when addressing someone of very high status or importance. For example, it’s often used in customer service to refer to clients as “Okyakusama” (お客様), literally treating the customer like royalty (“the customer is king”).

You’ll also hear it when referring to deities, such as “Kami-sama” (神様), meaning "God." This honorific is not just about politeness—it conveys a sense of reverence and high regard.

Examples of Usage:

• Addressing customers in shops or restaurants: "Okyakusama, irasshaimase!" (Welcome, dear customer!)

• Showing respect to an audience or group: "Minasama" (みなさま), meaning "everyone" with an extra layer of politeness.

Fun Fact: The popular expression "Otsukaresama desu" (お疲れ様です) uses "-sama" to show gratitude for someone’s hard work or effort. It’s a workplace staple in Japan!

When in doubt, avoid using "-sama" casually—it’s best reserved for highly formal or specific situations.

Other honorifics used in Japanese

Japanese honorifics can be tricky, but they’re super important to understand if you’re diving into Japanese culture or planning to work there. Some of the most common ones are Buchou (部長 – department manager), Kachou (課長 – section chief), Shachou (社長 – company president), and Kaichou (会長 – chairman), which are often used in professional settings. In schools, you’ll frequently hear Senpai (先輩 – senior), Kouhai (後輩 – junior), and Sensei (先生 – teacher).

There are also honorifics used outside of work or school. For instance, Okaasan (お母さん – mother) is a polite way to address your own mother or someone else’s, and Ojousan (お嬢さん – young lady) is used respectfully when referring to someone’s daughter or a young woman. Additionally, Sama (様 – sir/madam) is often reserved for very formal situations, like addressing clients in business or writing letters

A guide to honorifics: how to use them and when to use them 

In Japan, it’s pretty rare for people to call each other by their first names, especially in formal situations. Instead, they use last names along with an honorific. Just using someone’s last name without any honorific is actually considered quite rude.

That said, there are some exceptions. Honorifics might be attached to first names if two people are really close, or if one of them is a foreigner. Since foreigners are more used to calling each other by first names, Japanese people usually go along with that out of respect.

Honorifics are deeply tied to Japan’s hierarchical culture. Factors like age, job position, or social status influence how you should address someone. The more formal the setting, the more polite your language needs to be—this is where keigo, Japan’s formal speech style, comes into play.

But honorifics aren’t just about someone’s title. They also reflect the relationship you have with the person, how familiar you are with them, and sometimes even their gender. If you’re planning to work or spend time in Japan, it’s a good idea to learn these rules. Don’t stress too much, though—people tend to be pretty understanding if you’re a foreigner and make a few mistakes.

When you shouldn’t use Japanese honorifics

You generally don’t use honorifics in a few situations. For example, you wouldn’t use them when talking about yourself since it’s considered strange to add honorifics to your own name. If someone asks you to drop the honorifics, which is known as yobisute (literally meaning “call and toss away”), you should respect their preference. You also don’t need honorifics when you’re talking to close family members or friends, known as your uchi or inner circle, like your parents or siblings. Similarly, if you’re talking about someone from your inner circle to someone outside it, such as mentioning a friend to your boss, you typically leave the honorifics out.

Final Tip

Japanese honorifics are all about showing respect and understanding the situation. They can definitely get complicated, but people in Japan will usually be forgiving if you make a mistake. If you’re unsure, just ask what someone prefers to be called—it’s the easiest way to avoid any awkwardness!