Most Common Honorifics in Japanese

Most Common Honorifics in Japanese

Hiragana	Kanji/Kana	Pronunciation	Used For / Notes
さん	一さん	-san	Most common; polite and neutral; for people you’re not very close to.
さま	一様 / 一さま	-sama	Extremely formal; for deities, royalty, or customers.
くん	一君 / 一くん	-kun	Used for boys or male juniors; casual and familiar.
ちゃん	一ちゃん	-chan	Cute/affectionate; often used with kids, girls, or pets.
せんぱい	一先輩	-senpai	For senior colleagues or upperclassmen.
せんせい	一先生	-sensei	Used for teachers, doctors, or experts in a skill.

1. さん (san)

Usage: Neutral, respectful, widely used

Translation: Mr., Ms., Mrs.

Details:
Most common and safe honorific to use.
Suitable for most adults regardless of gender or age.
Used in business, school, or casual settings when not close to the person.

Examples:
田中さん（たなかさん）
Tanaka-san

お母さん（おかあさん）
mother

鈴木さん、これはあなたのですか？
(すずきさん、これはあなたのですか？)
— Mr./Ms. Suzuki, is this yours?

 

2. さま (sama)

Usage: Extremely respectful/formal

Translation: Sir, Madam, Lord, or Lady

Details:
Shows utmost respect.
Used for customers (お客様 – okyakusama), deities, royalty, and sometimes sarcastically.
Used in customer service, letters, or very polite speech.

Examples:

お客様 （おきゃくさま）
dear customer

神様 （かみさま）
God

山田様 （やまださま）
Mr./Ms. Yamada (formal)

 

3. くん (kun)

Usage: Casual, familiar; typically for younger males

Translation: —

Details:
Often used for boys, younger males, or subordinates.
Teachers use it for male students.
Can also be used for females in very specific, friendly or work contexts.

Examples:
ケンくん
Ken (in a friendly tone)

社長が田中くんを呼んでいる。
(しゃちょうが たなかくんを よんでいる。)
The boss is calling Tanaka-kun.

 

4. ちゃん (chan)

Usage: Cute, affectionate

Translation: —

Details:
Used for children, close friends, pets, or anything “cute.”
Common with girls, young kids, lovers, or family members.
Informal, not used in professional settings.

Examples:
あいちゃん
Ai (affectionate)

猫ちゃん（ねこちゃん）
kitty

おばあちゃん
grandma (loving tone)

 

5. せんぱい (senpai)

Usage: Respectful to someone senior in rank

Translation: Upperclassman, senior

Details:
Used in schools, clubs, or workplaces for someone more experienced.
Can be used alone or after a name.
Implies mentorship or admiration.

Examples:
田中先輩（たなかせんぱい）
Tanaka-senpai

彼は私の先輩です。
(かれは わたしの せんぱい です。)
He is my senior.

 

6. せんせい (sensei)

Usage: Teacher or expert

Translation: Teacher, Doctor, Master

Details:
Used for people with specialized skills or authority (e.g., teachers, doctors, lawyers, artists).
Can be used alone or with a surname.
Shows respect for someone who has achieved expertise.

Examples:
鈴木先生（すずきせんせい）
Mr./Ms. Suzuki (teacher)

山田先生、診察をお願いします。
(やまだせんせい、しんさつを おねがいします。)
Dr. Yamada, please examine me.

書道の先生 （しょどうのせんせい）
calligraphy master

Related Post:
Common Japanese Honorific Titles
Honorific speech in Japanese