Translation and Meaning of: 様 - sama

The Japanese word 様[さま] is one of the most versatile and culturally rich terms in the language. If you've ever watched anime, dramas, or even tried to learn Japanese, you've probably come across it in different contexts. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as understand how this small word carries so much weight in Japanese communication.

In addition to being a common honorific suffix, 様 has nuances that reflect hierarchy, respect, and even affection. Its use ranges from formal ceremonies to everyday interactions, and understanding its applications can be the key to sounding more natural when speaking Japanese. Let's uncover all this below, with real examples and useful tips for language learners.

Meaning and usage of 様

様 is a honorific suffix that demonstrates a high level of respect, often used to address customers, superiors, or people of high status. Unlike さん, which is more casual, 様 carries an almost reverential formality. You will find it in stores, official letters, and even in titles of nobility, such as お姫様 (princess).

An interesting detail is that, although it is predominantly a marker of respect, 様 can also express admiration or affection in certain informal contexts. For example, fans of Japanese idols often call their idols with 様 to show devotion. This duality between formality and affection makes it a unique term in the language.

Origin and Evolution of the term

The etymology of 様 dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), when the Japanese imperial court began to adopt more elaborate honorific titles. Originally written as 様々, the term had a sense of "diversity" or "variety," but over time, its use specialized to indicate status and reverence. The kanji 様 by itself already carries the idea of "form" or "appearance," which reinforces its connection to social representation.

With the modernization of Japan, 様 has remained one of the most important honorifics, especially in business and diplomatic contexts. Companies still use it to address customers (お客様), and even in the digital world, it is common to see formal emails ending with 様 to maintain protocol. Its resilience over the centuries proves its cultural relevance.

Tips for using 様 correctly

To avoid blunders, remember that 様 should not be used with your own name or in excessively casual situations. It is reserved for figures of authority, customers, or situations that require extreme politeness. A common mistake among learners is to use it with close friends, which can sound artificial or even ironic.

A practical tip for memorizing its use is to associate it with formal environments: if you are in a fancy restaurant, dealing with a boss, or writing a professional email, 様 will likely be the appropriate choice. In everyday conversations, さん or even addressing the person without an honorific can be more natural. Observing how natives use the word in dramas and movies also helps internalize these nuances.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 方 (kata) - Form, way, person (respectful title)
• 人 (hito) - Person
• さん (san) - Common honorific used to refer to someone respectfully
• 氏 (shi) - Used to indicate surname or as an honorific for men
• 御 (go) - Honorific prefix used to show respect
• 殿 (dono) - Used as a respectful title for men, it also assists with jobs or status.
• 夫人 (fujin) - Wife (respectful title)
• 嬢 (jou) - Young daughter, used as a respectful title for young women.
• 女史 (joshi) - Used for women with an academic or professional title
• 民 (tami) - People, nation
• 客 (kyaku) - Guest, client
• お方 (okata) - Respectful way to refer to someone
• お嬢さん (ojousan) - Miss (a respectful way to refer to a young woman)
• お客様 (okyakusama) - Client (extremely respectful title)
• お殿様 (odenosama) - Lord (high respect, connotes noble status)
• お御方 (omikata) - Respectable person
• お氏 (oshi) - Respectful way to refer to someone's surname
• ご夫人 (gofujin) - Mrs. (respectful form for wives)
• ご嬢さん (gojousan) - Respectful way to refer to a young woman
• ご氏 (goshi) - Respectful way to refer to someone's surname
• ご主人 (goshujin) - Husband (respectful title)
• ご客様 (gokyakusama) - Client (very respectful)
• ご殿様 (godenosama) - Sir, noble (a title of very high respect)
• ご御方 (gomikata) - Respectable person
• ご覧 (goran) - Viewed (respectful form to see or observe)
• ご本人 (gohonin) - The person themselves (shows respect)
• ご本人様 (gohoninsama) - The person themselves (extremely respectful)
• お覧 (oran) - Respectful way to see or observe
• お本人 (ohonjin) - The person themselves (respectful)
• お本人様 (ohoninsama) - The person themselves (extremely respectful)
• お名前 (onamae) - Name (respectful form)
• お名前様 (onamae-sama) - Name (highly respectful form)
• ご名前 (gonamae) - Name (respectful form)
• ご名前様 (gonamae-sama) - Name (highly respectful form)

様

Romaji: sama
Kana: さま
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Mr. or Mrs.

Meaning in English: Mr. or Mrs.;manner;kind;appearance

Definition: An honorific title used to represent an individual or group.

Example Sentences - (様) sama

See below some example sentences:

この着物の模様は美しいですね。

Kono kimono no moyou wa utsukushii desu ne

The pattern of this kimono is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 着物 - The word that means "kimono," a traditional Japanese garment.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 模様 - word that means "pattern" or "design"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates courtesy or formality
• ね - particle that indicates confirmation or agreement

斑は美しい模様を持つ。

Madara wa utsukushii moyou wo motsu

Madara has a beautiful pattern.

Os pontos têm um belo padrão.

• 斑 - palavra em japonês que significa "mancha"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjetivo em japonês que significa "bonito"
• 模様 - substantivo em japonês que significa "padrão" ou "desenho"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 持つ - verbo em japonês que significa "ter" ou "possuir"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

日本の民族は多様性に富んでいます。

Nihon no minzoku wa tayousei ni yondete imasu

The Japanese are diversity.

• 日本の民族 - Japanese people
• は - Topic particle
• 多様性 - Diversity
• に - connecting particle
• 富んでいます - Being rich in

本国の文化は多様で美しいです。

Honkoku no bunka wa tayou de utsukushii desu

A cultura do país de origem é diversa e bonita.

• 本国 - significa "país de origem" ou "país natal".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 文化 - refere-se à cultura de um povo ou nação.
• は - partícula que indica o tema principal da frase.
• 多様 - means "diverse" or "varied".
• で - particle that indicates the means or way in which something is done.
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - verbo "ser" na forma educada ou formal.

王様はとても威厳がある。

Ousama wa totemo igon ga aru

O rei tem muita dignidade.

O rei é muito digno.

• 王様 - Rei
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 威厳 - dignidade, autoridade
• が - subject particle
• ある - existir, ter

生物は自然界の多様性を表しています。

Seibutsu wa shizenkai no tayousei wo arawashite imasu

Os seres vivos representam a diversidade da natureza.

As criaturas representam a diversidade da natureza.

• 生物 - palavra em japonês que significa "seres vivos"
• は - partícula gramatical em japonês que indica o tópico da frase
• 自然界 - palavra em japonês que significa "mundo natural"
• の - partícula gramatical em japonês que indica posse ou relação
• 多様性 - palavra em japonês que significa "diversidade"
• を - partícula gramatical em japonês que indica o objeto direto da frase
• 表しています - verbo em japonês que significa "representar"

神様は私たちを見守ってくれています。

Kamisama wa watashitachi o mimamotte kurete imasu

God is watching us.

• 神様 - God
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - we
• を - direct object particle
• 見守ってくれています - is watching over us and taking care of us

私は神様が私たちの人生を司ると信じています。

Watashi wa kamisama ga watashitachi no jinsei o tsukasadoru to shinjite imasu

I believe God will control our lives.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 神様 (kamisama) - noun that means "god"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "god"
• 私たち (watashitachi) - personal pronoun meaning "we"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "our"
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "life"
• 司る (tsukasadoru) - verb that means "to govern" or "to control"
• と (to) - particle that indicates direct quotation, in this case, "that"
• 信じています (shinjiteimasu) - verb that means "to believe" or "to have faith" conjugated in the affirmative present

私は大学で様々な科目を勉強しました。

Watashi wa daigaku de samazama na kamoku o benkyou shimashita

I studied several subjects at the university.

I studied several subjects at the university.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大学 - noun meaning "university"
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
• 様々な - adjective that means "diverse," "varied"
• 科目 - noun that means "subject", "discipline"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 勉強しました - verb that means "study" in the past

縞模様のシャツが好きです。

Shimamoyou no shatsu ga suki desu

Eu gosto de camisas com estampa de listras.

Eu gosto de camisas listradas.

• 縞模様 - listras
• の - Possession particle
• シャツ - camisa
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - to be