--- In [email protected], Noah Riding
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Can someone explain the difference in meaning and usage of -dono
vs. sama?
>
> Also differences in female or male usage?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Noah
>
Both "-dono" and "-sama" are used after a person's name,
meaning "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss". In modern spoken Japanese, "-dono" is
almost never used. It may appear on a letter (mostly from the city
hall or the government), but this is getting rarer, for there is a
widespread belief that "-dono" is an honorific that someone employs
toward their seniors in rank. But it is still used in written
commendations, probably because it sounds old-fashioned and formal.
It is always safe for anyone to use "-sama" when you address to
people.
Kamui
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