Maudric
L22
Avoiding “you”
How to address and talk about people
「あなた」を使わない日本語
Why Japanese avoids あなた, and what people say instead: names with さん, くん, ちゃん and 様, job titles, talking about your own company and other companies, shops and strangers, and parents talking to teachers and to each other.
Free to use. If these lessons help you, you can support new lessons on Patreon.
This course opens on 23 November 2026.
- L2201Why not あなた?From 23 November 2026Names, roles and leaving the subject out, and when あなた does turn up.
- L2202さん, くん, ちゃん and friendsFrom 23 November 2026さん, くん, ちゃん, 様, 先輩, nicknames, and the cute たん.
- L2203At work: your own companyFrom 23 November 2026Job titles as names, 先輩 and juniors, and asking a colleague for something.
- L2204At work: other companiesFrom 23 November 2026Your boss without さん to outsiders, 弊社 and 御社, and 様 for clients.
- L2205Shops, clinics and strangersFrom 23 November 2026お客様, being called by name at the pharmacy, and getting a stranger's attention.
- L2206Parents and teachersFrom 23 November 2026Talking to the teacher about your child, and the teacher talking about them.
- L2207Other parents and neighboursFrom 23 November 2026○○くんのお母さん, ○○ちゃんママ, ご主人 and お宅.
- L2208ReviewFrom 23 November 2026A mixed walking drill.