Translation guide
The English word "son" refers to a male child in relation to his parents. In Japanese, the word used depends on whose son is being discussed and the level of politeness required. When talking about your own son to others, use humble terms; when talking about someone else's son, use respectful terms. Within the family, different terms are used.
You are speaking to someone outside your family about your own son.
The standard humble term for your own son when speaking to non-family members. It is neutral and widely used.
息子は大学生です。
My son is a college student.
息子がお世話になりました。
Thank you for taking care of my son.
A more humble and somewhat old-fashioned term for your own son. It is less common in modern conversation but still used, especially by older speakers or in formal situations.
倅がいつもお世話になっております。
My son is always indebted to you.
You are speaking about the son of someone you are not close to, or you want to show respect.
The polite way to refer to someone else's son. Adding さん shows respect. This is the most common and safe choice.
息子さんはおいくつですか。
How old is your son?
息子さんはとても優秀ですね。
Your son is very talented.
A very formal and respectful term for someone else's son. Often used in business or formal letters.
ご子息のご活躍をお祈り申し上げます。
I wish your son great success.
A term for a young boy from a wealthy or high-status family. It can sound old-fashioned or condescending if used inappropriately.
Use only when referring to a young boy from a clearly wealthy or high-status family, otherwise it may sound sarcastic.
You are talking to your son or about him within the family.
Within the family, parents typically call their son by his given name, often with an honorific like くん or no honorific at all. This is the most natural way.
When talking about your son within the family, you can use 息子, but it sounds a bit distant or formal. It is more common when speaking to a spouse or relative.
息子はまだ帰ってきてないの？
Has our son not come home yet?
You are defining or explaining the concept of a son, not referring to a specific person.
The generic word for son, used in dictionaries or when speaking abstractly.
彼には息子が二人います。
He has two sons.
Literally 'male child', can be used to mean 'son' in a general sense, especially for young children.
You need to specify birth order.
Using 息子 without さん to refer to someone else's son is rude. Always add さん (息子さん) or use a respectful term like ご子息 in formal settings.
In Japanese, if it's clear from context whose son you're talking about, you can often omit the word entirely. For example, when introducing your family, you might just say the name and relationship implicitly.
お坊ちゃんはどちらの学校へ？
Which school does your son attend? (to a wealthy family)
男の子が欲しいですか、女の子が欲しいですか。
Do you want a son or a daughter?
My second son is still a student.
三男が生まれました。
My third son was born.