immersionlog
Sign inCreate account

〜さん・〜ちゃん・〜くん・〜様・〜先生

Mr/Ms (name suffixes)

Name + さん / ちゃん / くん / 様 / 先生

Sign up free to review this point on a spaced schedule.

Japanese names are almost always followed by a suffix:

  • さん: the all-purpose polite one, for adults you don't know well, colleagues and neighbours.
  • ちゃん: for small children, close friends and family members; affectionate.
  • くん: for boys and younger men, often from teachers or seniors.
  • 様: very formal, for customers (お客様) and in letters.
  • 先生: for teachers, doctors and other experts, used instead of さん.

Never add a suffix to your own name: 私は田中です, not 田中さんです. Family names are the usual choice at work and school; given names with ちゃん or くん are for closer relationships.

Examples

  • 田中たなかさんはどこですか。

    Where's Tanaka?

  • 妹いもうとのゆきちゃんは五歳ごさいです。

    My little sister Yuki is five.

  • 山田やまだ先生せんせい、質問しつもんがあります。

    Professor Yamada, I have a question.

  • お客きゃく様さま、こちらへどうぞ。

    This way, please.

  • 佐藤さとうくん、ちょっと来きて。

    Sato, come here a second.

Related