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.
職場ではさん付けが基本だ。
In the workplace, using -san is the norm.
うちの会社はさん付けで呼び合う。
At our company, we address each other with -san.
上司にも部下にもさん付けで呼ぶようにしている会社が増えている。
More companies are adopting the practice of addressing both superiors and subordinates with -san.
The word 付け means 'attaching' or 'affixing,' so さん付け literally means 'attaching さん.' This pattern is productive: ちゃん付け (using -chan), くん付け (using -kun), 様付け (using -sama) all follow the same structure. In many Japanese workplaces, there has been a trend toward さん付け as a way to create a more egalitarian atmosphere, replacing 役職呼び (addressing by job title).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- さん付けで呼ぶ: to address with -san
- さん付けが基本: -san is the standard
- さん付けルール: -san rule (company policy)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- ちゃん付け: using -chan — more familiar, for children or close relationships
- くん付け: using -kun — used toward male peers or subordinates
- 呼び捨て: calling someone by name without an honorific — considered rude unless the relationship is very close