It’s maybe more of a lifestyle question rather than a linguistic one but it’s something that I’m starting to wonder as I’ve started adding a few Japanese people as contacts on my phone. If it is really unsuitable to the sub then feel free to remove the post.
Would the honorific suffix be usually included in the contact name, even if said person were to never see it? Like if I get in contact with a certain 木村さん and they were a business partner or a colleague or a superior, would the suffix be included in the contact name? Say I were to add my teacher as a contact, would I usually include 先生 in the contact, even if it were impossible for me to mistake them for someone else?
This might seem like a silly question and an obvious one but I really don’t know
5 comments
I’ve seen people do it and not do it. I personally don’t. I don’t think it matters anyway.
It’s your phone and your preference. That goes for anyone, I have seen people who put in full names for everyone, the name (including the honorific they usually call them), or just last name.
It depends on people and their preference.
I always add their full names without さん.
Based on my experience, I haven’t seen them adding suffixes to their phones. Usually, the last name and first name are written without a suffix. However, personally, I don’t think anyone would mind. But it’s nice to write down if the person has a higher suffix than “さん” just in case you forget it.
Similar to how you would write in English for doctors, professors, etc., I would suggest at least noting their profession so you don’t forget to use the appropriate suffix.
Actually, when they add someone on their phone, it’s common for them to add only the first name or their nickname. This implies that they are already close enough to use such terms. Unless it is a professional relationship, which I suggest you keep the last name, name format.
Also keep in mind the Japanese people I know would never call or text their teachers. It’s very awkward and not common at all.
The only Japanese people I have in my phone are friends so no honorifics, but from what I can tell, if it is work contact, they often have it marked.
The few times I’ve seen specific contact names on my friend’s phone, honorifics were mentioned only where it was needed to get them right. I remember seeing 様 on a client they work a lot with.