Shoji Kudaka (Illustration by Yukiyo Oda/Stripes Okinawa)

“-san”, a simple honorific title equivalent to Mr. Mrs, Miss or Ms. can be very convenient. The title may be applied to most Japanese regardless of gender, age and social status. “Takanaka-san” can be either a senior gentleman or a young girl. So, when you need to write a letter or email to someone whom you have never met before, be sure to use this title.

Oko (-ru)/do [angry in Japanese] (Image by Stripes Japan)