Japanesehonorifics
Japanese Honorifics and Address Terms Glossary for Manga Readers
Japanese honorifics are a cornerstone of social interaction and character dynamics in manga. They convey crucial information about relationships, social status, and character personalities. For readers, understanding these suffixes and address terms deepens comprehension of character interactions, while for translators, accurately conveying their nuanced meanings without direct English equivalents is a significant challenge. This glossary covers the most common Japanese honorifics and titles, helping you navigate the complex world of Japanese social etiquette as depicted in your favorite series.
25 Terms
Japanese| Term | Romanization | Literal Meaning | Usage | Example | Translation Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ～さん | -san | Mr./Ms./Mrs./Mx. | A polite, common honorific used for adults, peers, and strangers. It indicates respect and a certain level of formality or distance, without implying closeness or inferiority. | A student addressing their teacher, 'Tanaka-san,' or a coworker referring to a colleague, 'Sato-san,' in a neutral, respectful way. | Often omitted entirely if the context conveys sufficient politeness. Sometimes translated as 'Mr./Ms.' in very formal situations, or implied by simply using the character's name. It can also be rendered as 'you' in direct address when formality is key. |
| ～くん | -kun | Master (archaic), suffix for young men | Typically used for young males, juniors, or by superiors addressing subordinates (male or female). Can also be used between close friends regardless of gender, or when a senior female addresses a junior male with affection. | A teacher calling out to a male student, 'Yamada-kun,' or a female classmate affectionately addressing her male friend, 'Haru-kun.' | Usually omitted, with the name alone carrying the implied relationship. In cases of distinct power dynamics, the relationship might be emphasized through dialogue or character actions. Can sometimes be 'little' or 'dear' if very affectionate/patronizing. |
| ～ちゃん | -chan | Suffix for children, diminutive | An endearing or affectionate honorific, most commonly used for young children (boys and girls), female family members, close female friends, or pets. Can be used for adults to show extreme closeness or sometimes to tease/patronize. | A mother calling her daughter, 'Hana-chan,' or a close friend playfully referring to another female friend, 'Miki-chan.' | Almost always omitted, with the name being used. The affectionate nuance is typically conveyed through tone of voice or descriptive text. Rarely translated as 'little' or 'dear' if the diminutive quality is strong. |
| ～さま | -sama | Lord, master, exalted one | A highly respectful honorific, used for deities, royalty, customers, superiors, or people of extremely high status. It denotes a significant difference in rank or status and expresses reverence. | A servant addressing their lord, 'Ryujin-sama,' or a shop assistant addressing a customer, 'Okyaku-sama' (customer). | Often translated as 'Lord,' 'Lady,' 'Master,' 'Your Majesty,' or sometimes just 'Mr./Ms.' with added emphasis in dialogue. For customers, it might be omitted or simply implied by the formal tone. |
| ～せんぱい | -senpai | Senior colleague/mentor | Used to address or refer to a senior person in an organization, club, school, or workplace. It acknowledges their experience and position above the speaker. | A first-year student addressing a second-year student on a sports team, 'Tanaka-senpai,' or a new employee addressing a more experienced colleague. | Usually kept as 'Senpai' in localized manga due to its unique cultural context and the lack of a perfect English equivalent. Sometimes, the relationship is explained through dialogue, or the term is simply retained with a glossary note. |
| ～こうはい | -kouhai | Junior colleague/mentee | Refers to a junior person in an organization, club, school, or workplace. It is rarely used as a direct address but rather to describe someone's position relative to a senpai. | A senpai character internally thinking about or explaining their relationship with 'my kouhai, Sato.' | Similar to 'Senpai,' it's often retained as 'Kouhai' or explained contextually as 'my junior' or 'the younger one.' It's less commonly used as a direct address, so it's more about understanding the relational dynamic. |
| ～せんせい | -sensei | Teacher, born earlier | Used for teachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, artists, and other professionals who impart knowledge or hold respected positions. It signifies respect for their expertise. | A student addressing their school teacher, 'Yamada-sensei,' or a patient addressing their doctor, 'Isha-sensei.' | Often retained as 'Sensei' in localized works, particularly for teachers and martial arts masters, as it carries a distinct cultural weight. For other professionals, it might be translated as 'Doctor,' 'Professor,' or simply omitted with the professional title used instead. |
| ～ししょう | -shishō | Master (of a craft/art) | A highly respectful term for a master or expert in a specific craft, art, or martial art, often implying a teacher-disciple relationship. | A martial arts student addressing their instructor, 'Kenshin-shishō,' or an apprentice addressing a master artisan. | Almost always translated as 'Master' or 'Grandmaster,' especially in martial arts or craft-focused manga. It emphasizes the skill and revered status of the individual. |
| ～へいか | -heika | His/Her Majesty | Used to address or refer to a monarch (emperor, empress, king, queen). It's a very formal and high-level honorific. | A courtier bowing deeply and addressing the ruler, 'Kōtei Heika' (His Imperial Majesty). | Translated as 'Your Majesty' or 'His/Her Majesty.' It's a direct equivalent. |
| ～でんか | -denka | His/Her Highness | Used to address or refer to members of royalty other than the monarch, such as princes, princesses, or dukes. | A noble addressing a prince, 'Ōji Denka' (His Royal Highness Prince). | Translated as 'Your Highness' or 'His/Her Royal Highness.' Similar to -heika, it has a direct equivalent. |
| ～どの | -dono | Lord (archaic), honorable | An older, more formal honorific, historically used for warriors or noblemen of equal or higher rank. Sometimes used in modern business for email addresses to show respect to clients, or humorously in manga to add an archaic feel. | A samurai addressing another samurai in a historical manga, 'Oda-dono,' or a formal, slightly archaic letter in a fantasy setting. | Often translated as 'Lord' or 'Sir' in historical/fantasy contexts. In modern usage, it might be omitted or simply contribute to a very formal or slightly stiff tone that is conveyed through word choice. |
| お兄さん (おにいさん) | Onii-san | Honorable elder brother | Polite term for an elder brother. Can also be used to refer to an older boy or young man who is not a relative, as a term of respect or friendliness. | A younger sister calling her brother, 'Onii-san,' or a child asking an older stranger for help, 'Onii-san, sumimasen!' | Translated as 'Big Brother,' 'Brother,' 'Sir,' 'Mister,' or 'Young Man' depending on context and the relationship. The nuance of respect is key. |
| お姉さん (おねえさん) | Onee-san | Honorable elder sister | Polite term for an elder sister. Can also be used to refer to an older girl or young woman who is not a relative, as a term of respect or friendliness. | A younger brother calling his sister, 'Onee-san,' or a child asking an older female stranger for help, 'Onee-san, kocchi desu!' | Translated as 'Big Sister,' 'Sister,' 'Miss,' or 'Young Woman.' The respectful or friendly nuance is similar to 'Onii-san.' |
| お父さん (おとうさん) | Otou-san | Honorable father | Polite term for one's own father, or to politely refer to someone else's father. | A child saying, 'Otou-san, itte kimasu!' (Dad, I'm off!). | Translated as 'Dad,' 'Father,' or 'Pop.' The 'o-' prefix adds politeness. |
| お母さん (おかあさん) | Okaa-san | Honorable mother | Polite term for one's own mother, or to politely refer to someone else's mother. | A child asking, 'Okaa-san, gohan mada?' (Mom, is dinner ready yet?). | Translated as 'Mom,' 'Mother,' or 'Ma.' Similar to 'Otou-san,' the 'o-' prefix adds politeness. |
| おじさん | Oji-san | Uncle, middle-aged man | Term for an uncle. Also used generally to refer to any middle-aged man (sometimes with a slight tone of mild disrespect or familiarity if not a relative). | A child addressing their uncle, 'Oji-san, asobou!' (Uncle, let's play!). Or a teenager complaining about 'that oji-san' (that old guy) on the train. | Translated as 'Uncle,' 'Mister,' 'Old Man' (if derogatory), or 'Sir' (if polite but informal). |
| おばさん | Oba-san | Aunt, middle-aged woman | Term for an aunt. Also used generally to refer to any middle-aged woman (similar to oji-san, can have a slight tone of mild disrespect or familiarity). | A child addressing their aunt, 'Oba-san, arigatou!' (Aunt, thank you!). Or a character gossiping about 'that oba-san' (that older lady) next door. | Translated as 'Aunt,' 'Madam,' or 'Old Lady' (if derogatory). |
| おじいさん | Ojii-san | Grandfather, elderly man | Term for a grandfather. Also used generally to refer to any elderly man with respect. | A grandchild running up to their grandfather, 'Ojii-san, sugoi!' (Grandpa, amazing!). Or a young person politely helping an elderly man, 'Ojii-san, daijoubu desu ka?' | Translated as 'Grandpa,' 'Grandfather,' or 'Elderly Man'/'Old Gentleman.' The lengthened 'ii' makes it more respectful/familiar than 'oji-san'. |
| おばあさん | Obaa-san | Grandmother, elderly woman | Term for a grandmother. Also used generally to refer to any elderly woman with respect. | A grandchild bringing tea to their grandmother, 'Obaa-san, ocha douzo.' (Grandma, here's some tea.). Or a character offering a seat to an elderly woman, 'Obaa-san, douzo.' | Translated as 'Grandma,' 'Grandmother,' or 'Elderly Woman'/'Old Lady.' The lengthened 'aa' makes it more respectful/familiar than 'oba-san'. |
| 若様 (わかさま) | Wakasama | Young master | A respectful term for the son of a noble or wealthy family, or a young lord. Common in historical or fantasy settings. | A butler addressing the heir to a rich family's fortune, 'Wakasama, odekake desu ka?' (Young Master, are you going out?). | Translated as 'Young Master' or 'Lord.' Sometimes simply 'Master' if the context clearly implies youth. |
| 姫様 (ひめさま) | Hime-sama | Princess (exalted) | A highly respectful term for a princess or a revered young lady of high status. | A knight addressing a royal princess, 'Hime-sama, gosenchou desu.' (Princess, we're ready to depart.). | Translated as 'Princess,' 'My Lady,' or 'Your Highness.' The '-sama' emphasizes the reverence. |
| 殿下 (でんか) | Denka | His/Her Highness | Used to address or refer to royalty below the monarch (e.g., princes, princesses). Can be standalone or follow a name. | A minister addressing Prince Albert, 'Arubāto-denka.' (Your Highness Prince Albert). | Translated as 'Your Highness' or 'His/Her Royal Highness.' This is a more formal and less personal address than 'hime-sama' for a princess. |
| 殿 (との) | Tono | Lord (feudal), sir | An older, very formal honorific for a feudal lord or powerful figure. Similar to -dono but often implies a higher status. Sometimes used for humorous or archaic effect in modern settings. | A retainer addressing their daimyo (feudal lord) in a historical drama, 'Oda-tono,' or a character playfully adopting an archaic tone with a friend. | Translated as 'My Lord,' 'Lord,' or 'Sir,' especially in historical or fantasy settings. The archaic feel is often maintained through character dialogue. |
| 呼び捨て (よびすて) | Yobisute | Calling by name without honorific | Addressing someone purely by their given or family name without any honorific. This implies extreme closeness, intimacy, or sometimes outright disrespect, depending on context and relationship. | Two very close childhood friends addressing each other by their first names only, like 'Kenta!' or 'Yumi!' Or a superior scolding a subordinate by just their last name, 'Tanaka!' | The lack of an honorific is conveyed by simply using the name. The nuance of intimacy or disrespect is conveyed through the surrounding dialogue, character expressions, and situational context. |
| 氏 (し) | -shi | Mr./Ms., clan | A very formal and impersonal honorific, typically used in official documents, news reports, or academic papers to refer to someone. It is rarely used in direct speech in casual manga. | A news report stating, 'Suspect Tanaka-shi was apprehended...' or an academic paper referring to 'Researcher Sato-shi's findings.' | Usually translated as 'Mr./Ms.' or 'the aforementioned Mr./Ms.' in formal contexts, or simply omitted if the formal tone is achieved through other means. It's often replaced by 'person' or 'individual' in news-style reporting. |
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