How to Say ‘Mr./Ms. Tanaka’ in Japanese
田中さん
tanaka san
[ta-na-ka sahn]
🇯🇵 In Japan: At work, [さん] after a family name is the normal safe default for coworkers and many people outside your company too. Using just [田中] can sound blunt unless your workplace culture is very casual.
Phrase Breakdown
田中
tanaka
[ta-na-ka]
Tanaka
A common Japanese family name.
田中さんにも聞いてみます。
I will also ask Mr. Tanaka.
さん
san
[sahn]
Mr.; Ms.
A polite title added after a person's name.
田中さんにもう一度説明します。
I will explain it again to Mr. Tanaka.
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