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I know that the term is used on the letter being written, but I'm not sure if
it is required to use it on the envelope. Thank you.
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2017-03-13T16:51:23.240
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question
word-choice
Is the term さん also used on envelopes when sending a letter?
Depends on to whom you are sending the letter. In business occasions it's very
common to use 様 instead of さん because it shows more respect.
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2017-03-13T18:00:42.273
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You cannot use さん on envelopes. Just as you have to use Mr./Ms./etc on English
envelopes no matter how you normally call them, you have to use 様 on Japanese
envelopes. 様 is a more polite name suffix than さん. 先生 is also okay if you
usually call them _sensei_ (a teacher, lawyer, etc.). If you send a letter or
a card to a kindergartner, くん/ちゃん is also acceptable.

Inside the envelope you can call them however way you think is suitable.

様 is for a person. You have to use 御中 instead of 様 when you send a mail to an
organization. See: [How to address someone in an email who referred to
themselves as part of a
department](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/42452/5010)
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2017-03-13T18:01:46.063
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