さん

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 Japanese 1.1 Kanji reading 1.1.1 On-reading of: 1.1.2 Kun-reading of: 1.1.3 Nanori-reading of: 1.2 Noun 1.3 Etymology 1.3.1 Suffix 1.3.2 Usage notes 1.3.3 See also 1.4 Suffix

[edit] Japanese

[edit] Kanji reading

さん (san)

[edit] On-reading of:

• 三: three
• 山: mountain
• 産: give birth
• 参: three, participate, visit
• 算: calculation, arithmetic
• 残
• 散: scatter
• 賛: approval
• 操
• 杉
• 酸: acid; oxide
• 尽
• 惨: disaster
• 傘: umbrella; parachute
• 桟: framework
• 蚕: silkworm

[edit] Kun-reading of:

• 様: Mr, Ms

[edit] Nanori-reading of:

• 寒: cold

[edit] Noun

さん (romaji san)

1. 三, 参: three; 3
2. サン: sun
3. 酸: acid
4. 賛: legend; caption

[edit] Etymology

Derived from 様 (さま, sama).

[edit] Suffix

さん (romaji san)

1. A title used after person's name (first name or surname) regardless of sex; Mr, Ms, Mrs, Miss. Also used after a job title and a company name.
   • 山田さん - Mr/Ms Yamada. Sex is indistinguishable.
   • あきらさん - Also available for first name.
   • 山田あきらさん - Mr/Ms Akira Yamada.
   • 店員さん - Sir/Madam (literally Mr/Ms shop clerk), when talking to a shop clerk.
   • 運転手さん - Sir/Madam (literally Mr/Ms driver), when talking to a taxi/bus driver.
   • ソニーさん - Sony, used in business by people meeting Sony.

[edit] Usage notes

様 (さま, sama) is used in more formal situation, like sir.

More familiar, one uses 君 (くん, kun), especially of men, or ちゃん (chan), especially of young women and children.

Referring to someone without using a suffix is quite rude, and is called 呼び捨て (よびすて, yobisute).

[edit] See also

• 様 (さま, sama) (more respectful)
• ちゃん (chan) (more familiar, especially of young women and children)
• 君 (くん, kun) (more familiar, especially of men)
• 殿 (どの, dono) (more respectful)
• どん
• 呼び捨て (よびすて, yobisute)

[edit] Suffix

さん (romaji san)

1. 山: Mount, Mt.