Translation and Meaning of: さん - san

The Japanese word さん[さん] is one of the first that any language student learns, but its simplicity hides a fascinating cultural richness. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and uses in everyday Japanese, as well as curiosities that go beyond textbooks. If you've ever wondered why the Japanese use this suffix so much or how to apply it correctly, you're in the right place – Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, has gathered everything you need to know.

The meaning and origin of さん

The suffix さん is a neutral respect marker, used after proper names or titles to demonstrate education and courtesy. Its origin dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when the term 様 (sama) – more formal – began to be abbreviated in everyday language. Over time, さん became the standard form in situations that do not require excessive formality, but still necessitate politeness.

It is interesting to note that, although it is often translated as "Mr." or "Ms.", さん does not carry a distinction of gender. This neutrality makes it versatile: it can be used with colleagues, clients, or even in informal contexts, as long as there is a minimum of social distance. Unlike titles such as くん (for young men) or ちゃん (for children or close women), さん does not imply excessive intimacy.

How and when to use さん in everyday life

In Japan, omitting さん when addressing someone can sound rude, especially with people you don't know well. For example, calling a colleague simply "Tanaka" instead of "Tanaka-san" would be considered inappropriate in most professional settings. Even in stores, it is common to hear attendants using さん with customers whose names they don't know: "Okaasan" (mother) or "Ojisan" (mister) are safe variations in these cases.

On the other hand, there are situations where さん is dispensable. Among very close family members or long-time friends, the suffix can be replaced with nicknames or even omitted. The general rule is simple: when in doubt, use さん. This small linguistic detail reflects a fundamental aspect of Japanese culture – the importance of maintaining social harmony through language.

Cultural curiosities about the use of さん

A little-known fact is that さん also appears in words that personify objects or concepts. Expressions like "otsukaresama" (to thank for hard work) or "goshujinsama" (master, household owner) show how Japanese assigns courtesy even to non-human elements. This characteristic reveals the depth of the concept of respect in Japanese society, which goes beyond interactions between people.

In the media, the use (or absence) of さん can indicate relationships between characters. In animes like "Sazae-san" or "Chibi Maruko-chan", the maintenance of the suffix even among family members portrays a more traditional Japan. In contemporary series, its omission signals closeness. These details show how a simple particle carries layers of social meaning that go far beyond grammar.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 彼 (kare) - He
• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• 彼氏 (kareshi) - Boyfriend
• 彼女さん (kanojo-san) - Girlfriend (respectful form)
• あの人 (ano hito) - That person
• その人 (sono hito) - This person
• その方 (sono kata) - This person (respectful form)
• あの方 (ano kata) - That person (respectful form)
• お方 (okata) - Person (very respectful form)
• お方さん (okata-san) - Person (respectful form with the suffix of respect)
• かれ (kare) - He (informal form)
• かのじょ (kanojo) - She (informal form)
• あのかた (ano kata) - That person (respectful form)
• そのかた (sono kata) - This person (respectful form)
• おかた (okata) - Person (very respectful form)
• おかたさん (okata-san) - Person (respectful form with the suffix of respect)

さん

Romaji: san
Kana: さん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: Mr. or Mrs

Meaning in English: Mr or Mrs

Definition: Honorary title. A word used to address both women and men.

Example Sentences - (さん) san

See below some example sentences:

この領域にはまだ未知のことがたくさんある。

Kono ryōiki ni wa mada michi no koto ga takusan aru

There are still many unknown things in this domain.

There are still many unknown things in this area.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 領域 - noun meaning "area", "domain" or "field"
• に - particle that indicates the action of "in" or "to"
• はまだ - adverb that means "still" or "for now"
• 未知 - Noun meaning "unknown" or "ignored".
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• こと - noun that means "thing", "fact", or "event"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - adverb meaning "very" or "many"
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to be present"

お姉さんはとても優しい人です。

Oneesan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

The older sister is a very kind person.

Your sister is a very kind person.

• お姉さん - honorific for "big sister"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjetivo que significa "gentil"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

お兄さんはとても優しい人です。

Oniisan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My older brother is a very kind person.

Your brother is a very kind person.

• お兄さん - irmão mais velho
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - gentil
• 人 - person
• です - verb to be in the polite form

お父さんは私のヒーローです。

Otousan wa watashi no hiroo desu

My father is my hero.

Dad is my hero.

• お父さん - Pai
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - Meu
• ヒーロー - Herói
• です - is

お祖母さんはとても優しい人です。

Obaasan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

Minha avó é uma pessoa muito gentil.

• お祖母さん - grandmother
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - gentil
• 人 - person
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

お祖父さんはとても優しい人です。

Ojiisan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandfather is a very kind person.

• お祖父さん - avô
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - gentil
• 人 - person
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

この盆地は美しい景色がたくさんあります。

Kono bondi wa utsukushii keshiki ga takusan arimasu

This basin has many beautiful landscapes.

• この - demonstrative determiner meaning "this"
• 盆地 - noun meaning "basin", "valley"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "pretty", "beautiful"
• 景色 - noun meaning "landscape", "view"
• が - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• たくさん - adverb meaning "a lot", "many"
• あります - verb meaning "to exist", "to be"

この付近には美味しいレストランがたくさんあります。

Kono fukin ni wa oishii resutoran ga takusan arimasu

There are many delicious restaurants near here.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 付近 - noun that means "neighborhood"
• には - particle that indicates "in" or "on"
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• レストラン - noun meaning "restaurant"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - adverb that means "many"
• あります - Verb that means "to exist"

この詩には佳句がたくさんあります。

Kono shi ni wa kaku ku ga takusan arimasu

This poem has many beautiful phrases.

This poem has many good lines.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 詩 - noun meaning "poem"
• には - particle indicating the existence of something in a certain place or situation
• 佳句 - noun meaning "beautiful phrase" or "beautiful verse"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - adverb meaning "very" or "many"
• あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この店にはたくさんの種類の商品があります。

Kono mise ni wa takusan no shurui no shōhin ga arimasu

Existem muitos tipos de produtos nesta loja.

• この店には - indica o local onde os produtos estão disponíveis
• たくさんの - significa "muitos" ou "muitas"
• 種類の - refere-se aos tipos de produtos disponíveis
• 商品が - significa "produtos"
• あります - é o verbo "existir" na forma educada