I’m a receptionist in a medical office. (USA) We have a few patients that speak only Japanese, and while they do use a translator, I’d like to be able to speak to them directly. How would you address a patient? Is it “okanja-sama,” like okyaku-sama? Or just the patient’s last name -sama? (want to make it clear that i’m a RECEPTIONIST and have no intention of speaking to them regarding anything medical. Just want to be able to talk to them about appointments and such)
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Last name-さま.
I’ve been two months in a Japanese hospital as a patient and all the nurses and doctors
used surname-san for me and everyone else.
The clerical and pharmaceutical staff who patients don’t see daily used -sama.
So as a receptionist I think use -sama for patients you’ve not met before and once you get familiar with a patient you can consider to switch to -san 🙂