Japanese names and forms of address

The idea

Japanese names are commonly given family name first, followed by given name. Add さん to another person’s name for polite address; 先生 is a title used for teachers and some professionals. Ask how someone wishes to be addressed and how their name is read.

Examples

• 私わたしは田中たなかです。I am Tanaka.
• 田中たなかさんは先生せんせいです。Ms or Mr Tanaka is a teacher.
• お名前なまえは何なんですか。What is your name?
• 名前なまえを書かいてください。Please write your name.
• 佐藤さとうさんと明日あした会あいます。I will meet Sato tomorrow.
• 山田やまださん、よろしくお願ねがいします。Nice to meet you, Yamada.

Watch out

Do not add さん to your own name when introducing yourself. Name characters can have several readings, so do not guess a person’s pronunciation.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the Japanese form for “polite suffix for another person”: （さん／名前なまえ）

   Show answer or example answer

   さん

   さん matches “polite suffix for another person”; 名前 matches “name”.

2. Choose the Japanese form for “name”: （先生せんせい／名前なまえ）

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   名前

   名前 matches “name”; 先生 matches “teacher or teacher’s title”.

3. Choose the Japanese form for “teacher or teacher’s title”: （先生せんせい／さん）

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   先生

   先生 matches “teacher or teacher’s title”; さん matches “polite suffix for another person”.

Use it today

Use the reference to make two sentences of your own about this topic. Read them aloud and compare them with the examples.