さん付(づ)け

さんづけ
noun
using -san (honorific); addressing someone with -san
languageculturecommunication
1. using -san (honorific); addressing someone with -san
The practice of attaching the honorific suffix さん to a person's name when addressing or referring to them. Indicates a basic level of politeness and respect.
職場(しょくば)ではさん付(づ)けが基本(きほん)だ。
In the workplace, using -san is the norm.
うちの会社(かいしゃ)はさん付(づ)けで呼(よ)び合(あ)う。
At our company, we address each other with -san.
上司(じょうし)にも部下(ぶか)にもさん付(づ)けで呼(よ)ぶようにしている会社(かいしゃ)が増(ふ)えている。
More companies are adopting the practice of addressing both superiors and subordinates with -san.

The word 付(づ)け means 'attaching' or 'affixing,' so さん付(づ)け literally means 'attaching さん.' This pattern is productive: ちゃん付(づ)け (using -chan), くん付(づ)け (using -kun), 様(さま)付(づ)け (using -sama) all follow the same structure. In many Japanese workplaces, there has been a trend toward さん付(づ)け as a way to create a more egalitarian atmosphere, replacing 役職(やくしょく)呼(よ)び (addressing by job title).

Common collocations

Related words

  • ちゃん付(づ)け: using -chan — more familiar, for children or close relationships
  • くん付(づ)け: using -kun — used toward male peers or subordinates
  • 呼(よ)び捨(す)て: calling someone by name without an honorific — considered rude unless the relationship is very close

Related Words

Related: 呼(よ)び捨(す)て (calling someone by name without…)
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Added 2026.4.7 23:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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