1.
formal honorific suffix
A very polite title used after names, more formal than さん.
お客様、こちらへどうぞ。
Dear customer, this way please.
田中様はいらっしゃいますか。
Is Mr./Ms. Tanaka here?
神様にお祈りする。
To pray to God.
USAGE:
- Used in formal/business settings
- Used for customers (お客様)
- Used in letters and formal writing
- Used for deities and royalty (神様, 王様)
HONORIFIC HIERARCHY:
- ~様 (sama): very formal
- ~さん (san): neutral/polite
- ~君 (kun): informal (males)
- ~ちゃん (chan): affectionate