| In this article on learning to speak Japanese, I will | | | | "-Sensei" is used not only to address or refer to |
| explain the various forms of address used in | | | | teachers, but to doctors, lawyers, writers, artists, |
| Japanese. Japanese forms of address can appear | | | | and other accomplished persons of learned status. |
| complicated at first, but with a little understanding | | | | -Senpai |
| and a little practice, you'll learn when and how to use | | | | In Japan there is a clear social relationship of superiors |
| them properly. | | | | and inferiors that is in play in every social situation. |
| Overview of Japanese Forms of Address | | | | "-Senpai" is used to address a superior in a given |
| Unlike English, where forms of address are relatively | | | | social situation, but most commonly in a school or |
| straightforward, the Japanese language has several | | | | work environment to address an older student or a |
| different forms of address, and when and how they | | | | senior employee who has taken that person under |
| are used often depends upon the context of the | | | | their wing and mentored them. |
| situation. Let's take a look at each of these forms of | | | | -Kun |
| address, and how and when they should be used. | | | | "-Kun" is a familiar form of address primarily used for |
| -San | | | | boys. "-Kun" can be used among boys, or by girls |
| "-San" is the most common form of address used in | | | | addressing or referring to "boys" they are at least |
| Japan. "-San" is used to address someone in a polite, | | | | somewhat close to. "-Kun" is also used within a |
| somewhat formal manner, and it could be called the | | | | company by a superior addressing subordinates within |
| "default" form of address in Japanese. You can never | | | | the company. In this case, "-Kun" is used for women |
| go too wrong addressing your counterpart using | | | | as well as men. |
| "-San." However, you should never address | | | | -Chan |
| YOURSELF using "-San." | | | | "-Chan" is a diminutive form of address used toward |
| -Sama | | | | small children and other persons as a show of |
| "-Sama" is a much more formal and polite form of | | | | affection. Although most commonly used by men to |
| address than "-San." "-Sama" is used to address or | | | | address girls, it can be used among close female |
| refer to persons of highly elevated status, business | | | | friends, and even by a girl addressing her boyfriend. |
| clients from another company, or customers. It is | | | | As you become more familiar with Japanese, you will |
| also used in reference to persons of Japan's royal | | | | begin to see how these forms of address are used |
| family. For example, Princess Masako is always | | | | within the language, and before long, you'll be able to |
| referred to in the news as "Masako-Sama." | | | | use them yourself in the proper social context! |
| -Sensei | | | | |