Editing Japanese name (section)

===Speaking to and of others===
{{Main|Japanese honorifics|Japanese pronouns}}

Conventions of direct address and name use in conversation are heavily governed by respect for those considered in higher social positions (ex. older family members, teachers, employers), familiarity with those considered to be in lower social positions (ex. younger family members, students, employees) and the speaker's relationships with the listener and the addressee. Typically, the family name is used to refer to an individual, and personal or given names are largely restricted to informal situations and cases where the speaker is older than, a superior of, or very familiar with the named individual. When addressing someone or referring to a member of one's [[Uchi-soto|out-group]], a respectful title such as {{nihongo||さん|-san}} is typically added. Calling someone's name (family name) without any title or honorific is called {{nihongo||呼び捨て|yobisute}}, and may be considered rude even in the most informal and friendly occasions. This [[faux pas]], however, is readily excused for foreigners.

Japanese people often avoid referring to their seniors or superiors by name at all. Rather, it is considered more respectful to address one who is considered a social superior by their title. Similarly to Western cultures, one would not address their mother by their name, but perhaps as {{nihongo3|"mother"|お母さん|okāsan}}; however, this readily extends outside the family circle as well. A teacher would be addressed as {{nihongo3|"teacher"|先生|sensei}}, while a company president would be addressed as {{nihongo3|"company president"|社長|shachō}}.

Pronouns meaning "you" ({{nihongo||あなた|anata}}, {{nihongo||きみ|kimi}}, {{nihongo||お前|omae}}) are uncommon in Japanese, as when used improperly they may be perceived as being affrontive or sarcastic. It is more common for people to address each other by name/title and honorific, even in face-to-face conversations.