Affixes, particles and conjugations applied to words to mark respect.
10
votes
2answers
336 views
Why is the honorific o used for the bathroom?
I've seen the honorific "o"/"go" (is it called bikago?) being used as politness or reverence: o-cha for non-western tea, o-namae when talking about someone else's name, o-genki instead of just genki, ...
6
votes
4answers
335 views
does anyone know of any o-words or go-words which are absolutely neutral?
Does anyone know of any o-words or go-words which are absolutely neutral (have no nuances of being polite / courteous / respectful / womanly / cute etc etc)?
The only ones I'm aware of currently is ...
14
votes
1answer
209 views
General applicability of the ～ませ conjugation
I have only found the ～ませ conjugation used in the following honorific verbs:
いらっしゃいませ
くださいませ
なさいませ
Can the conjugation be applied to other honorific verbs, like おっしゃいませ or めしあがりませ?
Or even common ...
10
votes
5answers
373 views
Using Japanese honorifics with non-kana names
Some Japanese websites have no problem addressing me as Amandaさん, but how common is this in human-produced Japanese? Under what circumstances would someone refer to someone else as Amandaさん, בועזくん, ...
9
votes
3answers
343 views
Are honorifics used for dead people?
Are honorifics used for dead people? For example, would チンギス・カン have something after the name (presumably not just a mere さん!) when you're not referring to the dish?
8
votes
4answers
165 views
When is a person referred to with 様 in the mass media and what does it signify?
In media like TV and newspapers, it appears certain classes of people can be referred to with the honorific "様":
The Imperial family:
皇太子殿下と美智子さま The Crown Prince and Michiko-sama
Celebrities ...
3
votes
1answer
145 views
With whom to use different honorific forms? 丁寧語より尊敬語・謙譲語・丁重語
With whom is it considered proper to use 尊敬語・謙譲語・丁重語 instead of 丁寧語?
I mean saying おいでになります・伺います・参ります instead of 行きます.
The often given example is for a service-person speaking with a customer, but ...
12
votes
7answers
1k views
When should one add さん at the end of a name?
I've heard some names pronounced with an added さん such as 佐々木さん and some without. I believe it is related to respect or the age of the person named. What would be the guidelines or general principles ...
9
votes
1answer
488 views
Is -さん used when referring to a celebrity or historical figures?
When referring to a celebrity or historical figure, do you use -さん?
I am listening to Yoko Shimomura.
Would it be:"下村陽子さんを聞いている。"?
Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president.
Would it ...
9
votes
4answers
196 views
Is the use of 先生 and similar titles context sensitive?
While it is generally safe to use -さん when taking to someone and the use of -先生 is appropriate for use in a school environment when talking to a teacher, would the use of -先生 carry over outside of the ...
7
votes
2answers
459 views
芸能人・スポーツ選手・公人に「さん」などの敬称を付けなくてもよい理由は?
Reasons for omitting titles like 'さん' after names of entertainers, performers and public figures
「記者ハンドブック 新聞用字用語集」によると、
運動、芸能欄などのスポーツ選手、芸能人には敬称をつけない
[出典]
...
4
votes
2answers
190 views
「様」vs「殿」, which is more respectful?
Ammy claims that 殿 is more respectful than 様:
様 -sama: a respectful honorific used for those of a higher social standing
殿 -dono: even more respectful than -sama, less likely ...
