How to Address a Japanese Woman

Many tourists make the mistake of not taking the time to study the culture of the country they are visiting. As a result, it is easy to commit a cultural faux pas, creating an awkward or even unpleasant situation. If you are planning to travel to Japan for the first time, take a few minutes to understand the different ways of addressing a Japanese woman. The locals will appreciate your awareness and sensitivity to cultural issues, perceiving you as a respectful and well-mannered individual.

Instructions

1. Say a woman's family name first and her given name second if addressing her by her full name. However, the Japanese address others primarily by last name followed by a suffix--except when speaking to children or close friends, in which case using a given name is appropriate.

2. Add the suffix "san," which does not change according to marital status, after a woman's family name as a sign of respect. The more polite version of "san" is "sama." Use this suffix in formal situations.

3. Use "chan," the diminutive form of "san," if the woman is a close friend or a family member who is younger than you.

4. Address a woman whose knowledge is superior to yours, particularly a teacher, simply with the term "sensei."

5. Avoid calling a woman by her name without adding a suffix, which is viewed as rude in the Japanese culture.

References

• japan-guide.com
• Learn Japanese