Meaning
Japanese uses different vocabulary when referring to your own family members versus other people's family members. When talking about your own family, use humble or plain forms. When referring to someone else's family, add 'さん' (san) to show respect. Note that some words like 'ごしゅじん' (husband of someone else) are exceptions that don't follow the standard pattern.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|
Examples
-
そぼ
My grandmother (そぼ) -
そふ
My grandfather (そふ) -
はは
My mother (はは) -
ちち
My father (ちち) -
いもうと
My younger sister (いもうと) -
おとうと
My younger brother (おとうと) -
あね
My older sister (あね) -
あに
My older brother (あに) -
つま
My wife (つま) -
おっと
My husband (おっと) -
むすめ
My daughter (むすめ) -
むすこ
My son (むすこ) -
おばあさん
Someone else's grandmother (おばあさん) -
おじいさん
Someone else's grandfather (おじいさん) -
おかあさん
Someone else's mother (おかあさん) -
おとうさん
Someone else's father (おとうさん) -
いもうとさん
Someone else's younger sister (いもうとさん) -
おとうとさん
Someone else's younger brother (おとうとさん) -
おねえさん
Someone else's older sister (おねえさん) -
おにいさん
Someone else's older brother (おにいさん) -
おくさん
Someone else's wife (おくさん) -
ごしゅじん
Someone else's husband (ごしゅじん - irregular exception) -
むすめさん
Someone else's daughter (むすめさん) -
むすこさん
Someone else's son (むすこさん)
Summary
- Use plain or humble forms when referring to your own family members
- Add さん to most family terms when referring to someone else's family to show respect
- Some words like ごしゅじん are irregular exceptions that already show respect without さん