How to call someone’s name in Japanese -呼称

How to call someone’s name in Japanese

When you call someone’s name in Japanese, there are some words you should add with name like Mr. Ms. Miss. and Mrs. in English.

Those are as bellow;

さん san

君くん kun

ちゃん cyan

様さま sama

氏し shi

殿どの dono

殿下でんか denka

陛下へいか heika

 

If you wrongly use these to someone, the person may think you are rude.

Also, you should avoid call only name at first contact or first meeting. Call “〇〇 さん” is better.

Let’s study appropriate word so that you can choose right word to the person.

 

さん

This is widely used in school and workplace etc.

You may use to both man and woman.

If you cannot choose right one at once, it’s safe to use さん in any case at first.

さん contains respect to the person so the person will not think you are rude.

 

君くん

This is mainly used for boy until high school.

Rarely used to girl.

 

ちゃん

This is mainly used for girl until high school.

But you can use to little boy.

Do you Japanese anime, Crayon Shin-chan?

Shin-chan is little boy but called with chan.

Shin- chan’s real name is Shinnosuke.

He is also called Shinnosuke kun.

Both are ok.

 

様さま

Sama is mainly used for customers, boss in workplace with respect.

You may use to both man and woman.

 

氏し

This is mainly used in news and report.

Talking about third person people don’t know.

You may use to both man and woman.

 

殿どの

This is used when someone is awarded in competition or for long term service or for no absence at school etc. This is rare and special case. On certification, the name is stated with 殿どの.

You may use to both man and woman.

 

殿下でんか、陛下へいか

This is also special one that we use these for emperor or imperial family.

Sometimes this is applicable to royal family in foreign country.

 

Other

At workplace, some company still allow employees to call upper person with title.

For example, when Mr Sato is president (社長しゃちょう) of company, employee may use 佐藤社長さとうしゃちょう.

 

How was this post?

If you like this or feel this is useful, please share on Facebook and retweet on Twitter!

If you wanna join Leo Sensei’s group on Facebook, click Facebook mark on top or bottom and send friend request to me. You can get updated information and ask me freely about Japanese language and culture and so on.