様

• 読み: さま
• ローマ字: sama
• 漢字の分解: 様 (yō/sama) — manner, form, Mr./Mrs.
• 発音: /sa.ma/

意味

Mr., Mrs., Ms.; a very polite honorific suffix added to names. More formal than さん.

The most common formal honorific suffix in Japanese, used after names to show deep respect. It is standard in business correspondence, customer service, and formal speech. Also used in set phrases like お客様 (okyakusama, customer) and 神様 (kamisama, God). Written on letters and envelopes after the recipient's name.

例文

1. 山田様、お電話です。
2. お客様はこちらへどうぞ。
3. 田中様からお手紙が届きました。

使い方ガイド

場面: business, customer service, formal letters, polite speech

トーン: respectful

起源と歴史

From the kanji 様 meaning form or appearance, which evolved into an honorific title. Used since the medieval period as a respectful form of address.

文化的背景

時代: Medieval

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal