Language/Japanese/Vocabulary/Social-Etiquette-and-Expressions

Japanese Vocabulary → Family and Social Relations → Social Etiquette and Expressions

As a Japanese language teacher with 20 years of experience, I believe that learning Japanese etiquette and expressions is fundamental to gaining a deeper understanding of the language and culture. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of Japanese social norms, polite and humble expressions, and honorific titles.

Social Norms and Customs

Japan has a unique set of social norms and customs that are deeply rooted in its history and culture. Some of these norms can be traced back to the feudal era of samurai and shoguns, while others reflect Japan's modern society. Here are some examples:

• Bowing: Bowing is a common gesture of greeting and respect in Japan. It is used in a variety of settings, from formal business meetings to casual encounters with friends. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the situation and the status of the person you are bowing to.

• Gift-giving: Gift-giving is a well-established tradition in Japan. It is often done to express gratitude or respect, and the choice of the gift is carefully considered. When receiving a gift, it is customary to show appreciation and avoid opening it in front of the giver.

• Shoes: In Japan, it is common to take off your shoes before entering a home, temple, or other indoor space. This is done to keep the space clean and avoid bringing in dirt and germs from outside. It is important to follow this custom and wear indoor slippers if provided.

• Silence: Silence is valued in Japanese culture, and it is often used in place of words to convey meaning. It is considered a sign of respect to let others speak first and to listen attentively. In some situations, silence is also used to express disagreement or disapproval.

Polite and Humble Expressions

Politeness and humility are highly valued in Japanese society, and they are reflected in the language. Japanese has numerous verb endings, honorific prefixes, and polite particles that are used to show respect and humility. Here are some examples:

• Verbs: Japanese verbs have several different forms, including the plain form, the polite form, and the humble form. The polite form is often used in formal situations or when speaking to someone of higher status, while the humble form is used to show respect for the listener or the subject of the sentence.

• Honorific titles: Japanese has a variety of honorific titles and suffixes that are used to address or refer to people of higher status, such as teachers, doctors, or bosses. These titles can be added to a person's name, a job title, or a pronoun to show respect.

• Polite particles: Japanese has several particles that are used to make a sentence more polite, such as です (desu) and ます (masu). These particles are often added to the end of a verb or an adjective to show respect or politeness.

• Humble expressions: Japanese also has special expressions that are used to express humility or to apologize. For example, 申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen) is a formal way of apologizing, and 謝罪します (sha-zai shimasu) is a more direct way of apologizing.

Honorific Titles

Honorific titles and suffixes are an important part of Japanese social etiquette. They are used to show respect for people of higher status or seniority. Here are some common honorific titles and their usage:

• さん (san): This is a commonly used honorific title that can be used for both men and women. It is equivalent to Mr., Mrs., or Ms. in English.

• ちゃん (chan): This is a more informal and affectionate version of さん (san). It is often used for children, close friends, or pets.

• くん (kun): This is a commonly used honorific title for boys or young men. It is often used in school or workplace settings.

• 先生 (sensei): This honorific title is used for teachers, doctors, or other professionals. It can also be used to show respect for someone who is an expert in a particular field.

• さま (sama): This is a more formal and respectful honorific title. It is often used for people of higher status or seniority, such as royalty, politicians, or business executives.

Examples

Here are some examples of common Japanese expressions and their translations:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
おはようございます	Ohayou gozaimasu	Good morning
ありがとうございます	Arigatou gozaimasu	Thank you
申し訳ありません	Moushiwake arimasen	I am sorry
はい	Hai	Yes
いいえ	Iie	No
すみません	Sumimasen	Excuse me

Conclusion

Learning Japanese social etiquette and expressions is essential for building meaningful relationships and navigating Japanese society. By understanding the basics of Japanese social norms and using polite and humble expressions, you can show your respect for the language and culture. I hope this lesson has been helpful, and I encourage you to continue learning and exploring the rich and fascinating world of Japanese language and culture.

Sources

• Japanese honorifics
• Japanese verbs

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Hiragana Basics

• Hiragana Reading and Writing Practice
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Particle は and が
• Verb Conjugation
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Question Words and Phrases

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Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Describing People
• Counting Numbers and Time
• Basic Food and Drink Terminology
• Daily Activities and Hobbies
• Basic Directions and Transportation

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Geography and History

• Introduction to Japanese Geography
• Brief History of Japan
• Traditional Arts and Customs
• Popular Culture and Entertainment

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Conjugation
• Adjective Types and Usage
• Adverb Types and Usage
• Comparison and Superlative
• Adjective and Adverbial Modification

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Family and Social Relations

• Family Members and Titles
• Social Etiquette and Expressions
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology
• Shopping and Consumer Culture

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Religion and Philosophy

• Shinto and Buddhism
• Zen and Samurai Culture
• Contemporary Spiritual Movements

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Particles and Conjunctions

• Particles に and で
• Particles へ and を
• Particles も and しか
• Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
• Conditional and Hypothetical Sentences

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Travel and Tourism

• Basic Travel and Tourism Vocabulary
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

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Education and Science

• Educational System and Vocabulary
• Traditional and Modern Science and Technology
• Natural Disasters and Risk Prevention

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Prepositions and Interjections

• Prepositions and Postpositions
• Emphasis and Intensification
• Exclamation and Impression Expressions

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Arts and Media

• Film and Theater Terminology
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Art and Literature Terminology

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Politics and Society

• Basic Political Vocabulary
• Social Issues and Controversies
• Japanese Business and Work Culture

Related Lessons

• Greetings
• Love
• Feelings and Emotions
• Body
• Vehicles
• Astronomy
• Nature
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• City
• Metals