Learn when to add さん to another person’s name, when to use 先生, and how to introduce your own name politely.
The idea
Add さん after another person’s name as a broadly polite form of address: 田中さん. The family name is common, but follow the person’s preference. Teachers may be addressed as 先生 or 田中先生.
| Starting form | Form or example |
|---|---|
| 田中 | 田中さん |
| 田中＋先生 | 田中先生 |
| 私の名前 | 田中です |
Examples
- 田中さん、おはようございます。Good morning, Tanaka.
- こんにちは、山田さん。Hello, Yamada.
- 田中さんは先生です。Tanaka is a teacher.
- 田中さんが来ます。Tanaka is coming.
- 私はアナです。I'm Ana.
- 先生、おはようございます。Good morning, teacher.
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Watch out
Do not normally attach さん to your own name. Do not add さん after the title 先生.
Try it yourself
Choose and fill the blank: 田中＿、おはようございます。（さん／です）
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さん
さん follows another person’s name in a polite greeting.
Choose and fill the blank: 私は田中＿。（です／さん）
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です
です completes your own introduction; you do not normally call yourself 田中さん.
Choose and fill the blank: ＿、おはようございます。（先生／先生さん）
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先生
先生 can itself be a respectful address for a teacher; 先生さん is not the usual form.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose and fill the blank: 田中＿、おはようございます。（さん／です）
Choose and fill the blank: 私は田中＿。（です／さん）
Choose and fill the blank: ＿、おはようございます。（先生／先生さん）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Practise greeting a new colleague by their preferred name, then introduce yourself without さん.