どなた様 (どなたさま) Japanese meaning | KotomoraMeanings
1
pronoun
who (polite)
honorific or respectful (sonkeigo)
Very polite, honorific way to ask 'who'. Used in formal settings, customer service, or when showing extra respect. More polite than どなた or 誰.
direction, person, alternative
Similar words
- どなた
Polite 'who', but less formal than どなた様. どなた様 adds the honorific suffix 様 for extra respect.
- 誰
Plain 'who'. どなた様 is much more polite and honorific.
Etymology
Compound of どなた (polite 'who') + 様 (honorific suffix). The exact origin of どなた is uncertain, but it is a polite interrogative pronoun.
