Translation guide
How to address people in Japanese, including names, titles, pronouns, and omission strategies.
The learner wants to know how to call someone's name or title to get their attention or refer to them.
The default polite way to address someone. さん is a neutral honorific roughly equivalent to Mr./Ms. Use with given name or family name depending on relationship.
田中さん、ちょっといいですか。
Mr./Ms. Tanaka, do you have a moment?
さくらさん、お電話です。
Sakura, you have a phone call.
For teachers, doctors, bosses, etc., use their title without a name. Common titles: 先生 (teacher/doctor), 社長 (company president), 部長 (department head).
先生、質問があります。
Teacher, I have a question.
部長、お客様がお見えです。
Department head, a client is here to see you.
Only for close friends, family, or children. Dropping honorifics (呼び捨て) can be rude if used inappropriately.
健太、遊ぼう！
Kenta, let's play!
The learner wants to get someone's attention without knowing or using their name.
Equivalent to 'Excuse me' to get a stranger's attention, e.g., a waiter or passerby.
すみません、駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the station?
A hesitation sound used to politely get attention before speaking, similar to 'Um, excuse me'.
あのう、ちょっとよろしいですか。
Um, may I have a moment?
The learner wants to address multiple people, such as in a speech or meeting.
Polite 'everyone'. Used in speeches, announcements, or addressing a group respectfully.
皆さん、おはようございます。
Good morning, everyone.
Very polite 'everyone'. Used in formal settings or customer service.
The learner wants to use family or social role terms to address someone.
Within a family, use terms like お母さん (mom), お父さん (dad), お兄ちゃん (big brother), etc. Outside the family, use these terms for others' family members, but humble terms for your own.
お母さん、これ見て。
Mom, look at this.
お兄ちゃん、手伝って。
Big brother, help me.
Standard polite way to address a customer or client.
お客様、何かお探しですか。
Sir/Ma'am, are you looking for something?
The learner wants to know how to address someone in written correspondence.
The learner wants to know how to avoid using a name or pronoun when it might be rude or unnecessary.
In Japanese, the subject is often omitted when clear from context. Instead of 'you', just use the verb or context.
コーヒーを飲みますか。
Would you like some coffee? (lit. Drink coffee?)
Polite ways to refer to 'you' in business contexts, meaning 'your side' or 'your company'.
そちらのご都合はいかがですか。
How is your schedule?
The word あなた (you) can sound rude, distant, or overly intimate depending on context. It is often safer to use the person's name with さん, their title, or omit the pronoun entirely. Use あなた only when you have no other choice, such as addressing an anonymous stranger in writing.
ちゃん is an affectionate honorific for children, close friends, or pets. くん is often used for boys or junior colleagues. Both are informal and imply closeness.
皆様、本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today.