(さま)

さま
suffix
Mr., Mrs., Ms. (formal honorific)
1. formal honorific suffix
A very polite title used after names, more formal than さん.
(きゃく)(さま)、こちらへどうぞ。
Dear customer, this way please.
田中(たなか)(さま)はいらっしゃいますか。
Is Mr./Ms. Tanaka here?
(かみ)(さま)にお(いの)りする。
To pray to God.

USAGE:

  • Used in formal/business settings
  • Used for customers (お(きゃく)(さま))
  • Used in letters and formal writing
  • Used for deities and royalty ((かみ)(さま), (おう)(さま))

HONORIFIC HIERARCHY:

  • (さま) (sama): very formal
  • ~さん (san): neutral/polite
  • (くん) (kun): informal (males)
  • ~ちゃん (chan): affectionate