Honorífico

Honorífico is a term used to describe forms of address and language that convey respect, deference, or social status in communication. It can include titles, pronouns, verb forms, or other grammatical markers that indicate formality, hierarchy, or politeness in a given culture or language.

In practical use, honoríficos appear as tangible elements such as prefixes or titles (for example, Señor, Señora, Don, Doña in Spanish; Doctor or Profesor for professional status). They can also be expressed through pronouns and verb conjugations that signal formality or distance between speakers, as well as through specific ritualized terms of address or honorific suffixes attached to names.

Languages vary in how they implement honoríficos. In Spanish, usted is a formal second-person pronoun, and Don/Doña or Sr./Sra. convey respect. In Japanese, keigo encompasses multiple levels of politeness with distinct verb endings and honorific suffixes such as -san or -sensei attached to names. Korean uses honorific verb forms and suffixes like -nim to denote respect, alongside title-based address. Other languages use similar systems, often reflecting social structure, gender norms, and professional or ceremonial roles.

Scholarly study of honoríficos falls under sociolinguistics and pragmatics, examining how language encodes power, intimacy, and cultural expectations. Changes in societies—such as shifts toward more informal speech or inclusive forms—can lead to reanalysis or reinforcement of honorific systems.