1.
who (very polite)
Highly polite way of asking who someone is. Used in formal service contexts such as hotels, receptions, and business settings. More deferential than どなた alone.
どなた様でいらっしゃいますか。
Who might you be? (very formal)
インターホン越しに「どなた様ですか」と確認した。
I confirmed through the intercom, "Who is it?"
受付の担当者は「どなた様のご予約でしょうか」と聞いた。
The receptionist asked, "Whose reservation is it?"
The most polite form of "who." Composed of どなた (polite form of だれ) + 様 (honorific suffix).
POLITENESS SCALE:
- だれ: who (plain)
- どなた: who (polite/respectful)
- どなた様: who (very polite; formal service language)
COMMON PHRASES:
- どなた様ですか: who are you? (formal)
- どなた様でいらっしゃいますか: who might you be? (very formal)
- どなた様がいらっしゃいますか: who is there? (formal)
Typically used by service staff (hotels, restaurants, receptions) and in formal business contexts.