様さま

さ

ま

Meanings

Honorific suffix attached to a person's name, title, or position to show respect. Equivalent to English titles but used more broadly.

Related words· 7

様よう子すN4sense 3

様子 is the common, everyday word for someone's or something's state or appearance, while 様 used as a noun is more literary and appears mainly in formal or written contexts.

殿どの sense 1

殿 is a stiffly formal honorific suffix used mainly in business letters and official documents, while 様 is the everyday respectful suffix used in both speech and writing.

サー

サー is the Western-style title "Sir" used mainly for knighted men or in service settings, while 様 is the everyday Japanese honorific suffix attached to almost any name.

氏しN2

様 is a more explicitly deferential suffix used for customers or guests, while 氏 is respectful but neutral and report-like.

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ミスター
様 is a more deferential native Japanese honorific used for both genders, whereas ミスター is a borrowed English title used only for men.
ごN1
様 is a highly productive honorific suffix usable after almost any name or title, whereas the suffix ご is fossilized in a small set of words such as 親御.
卿きょう
様 is the ordinary, everyday honorific suffix attached to almost any name, whereas 卿 is reserved for noble or ceremonial titles.

Politeness

さんpolite 丁寧語N3sense 1

さん is the everyday polite suffix for names, while 様 is more formal and respectful, typically used for customers or people of high status.

殿どのplain

殿 is a stiff, administrative address suffix often used top-down (organization to individual), while 様 is the safer, broadly polite suffix preferred in most modern letters and emails.

君くん

Don't confuse with

御おん中ちゅうN2

御中 follows an organization or company name in an address, while 様 follows an individual's name and should never be combined with 御中.

ざま

さま is an honorific suffix or polite word for 'appearance', while ざま differs only by voicing yet carries a derogatory, pitying tone.

様さま

Meanings

Usage patterns

Expressions· 13