氏
Meanings
Mr.; Ms.; formal title after a name
A formal, respectful suffix attached to a surname, full name, or sometimes a public figure's name. Common in news, reports, and formal writing; less warm and less conversational than さん.
At the press conference, Mr. Yamada announced a new plan.
A comment arrived from Ms. Smith.
Used as a noun or suffix for a historical or genealogical clan or family line, as in 藤原氏 or 徳川氏. This is not the everyday honorific title sense.
In the Heian period, the Fujiwara clan held great power.
A formal written pronoun-like use referring back to a previously named man or public figure. It sounds journalistic or official rather than conversational.
Mr. Ichiro Tanaka gave a lecture. He spoke about issues in local healthcare.
A formal, respectful counter for named people, usually seen in expressions such as 三氏, meaning 'the three people/gentlemen.' In ordinary conversation, 人 is much more common.
Mr. Tanaka, Ms. Sato, and Mr. Suzuki, the three of them, attended the meeting.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉氏Mr./Ms. 〈surname〉 (formal, journalistic)
Mr. Yamada is an expert in this field.
- 〈数〉氏the [number] gentlemen/people named
Three gentlemen attended the meeting.
- 氏は〈動詞〉he (the aforementioned man) [verb]
He explained the new policy.
Expressions
- 女氏無くして玉の輿に乗るeven a woman of low birth can marry into wealth and status