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How does one address a stranger in a casual conversation when name is unknown? For example, I had a conversation with an older Japanese lady and I wanted to compliment her on her English (but in Japanese, for some reason). Usually in such situations I might've gone something like

○○さんは英語上手です。 or ○○さんの英語は上手です。　

But without the name it is quite difficult for me at this point. Using あなた　feels really rude, neither I'm comfortable relying on zero-pronoun and going 英語は上手です without any context.

Should I inquire about person's name in such situations? (obviously, not right before I have a sentence to use the name in).

Dmitriy
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    You can usually use honorifics to avoid second person. 英語が お 上手ですね。 – Yang Muye Jul 08 '14 at 17:46
  • I believe this is essentially a duplicate of: http://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/1423/what-is-the-most-natural-way-to-refer-to-someone-when-you-dont-know-their-name/1433#1433 – Dave Jul 09 '14 at 08:37

1 Answers1

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As YangMuye explained, honorifics can be used to clarify first and second person without ever needing to use a first or second person pronoun. In that, usage of 謙譲語{けんじょうご} implies I'm talking about me. Usage of 尊敬語{そんけいご} implies I am talking about you.

An extended discussion about this topic can be read on the thread titled そちら as a second person pronoun. As far as I can understand, that thread can fully explain your question.

user312440
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  • Thank you, it's the first time I've thought of politeness levels in that light, and it makes total sense. – Dmitriy Jul 09 '14 at 15:10