誰かさん (darekasan): Sarcastic Expression ‘Somebody-san’

Pronunciation

Definition

誰かさん (だれかさん, darekasan) literally means  “somebody-san”, where “誰か” (dareka) means “somebody” with the Japanese honorific “san” attached to it. People use this phrase to refer to someone in a sarcastic and “anonymous” way, by which everyone knows who is being alluded to. This is a good expression to use when you blame or mock your friends in a jocular or ironic manner.

In fact, you can also simply say “誰か” (dareka) to blame someone ironically, but adding the honorific term ‘san’ makes it sound more casual, sarcastic, and less serious. 

Word Structure

As already mentioned, dareka-san is a noun phrase that consists of the two parts “誰だれか” (dareka) meaning “somebody/anybody” and “さん” (san), a Japanese honorific. The kanji character “誰だれ” (dare) has another meaning “who”, as in “誰がこれを食たべたの？” (darega kore wo tabeta no?) meaning “Who ate this?”

Example Sentences

Ex1
あー誰かさんが遅ち刻こくしたせいで電車でんしゃに乗のり遅おくれたー
Oops, we’ve missed the train because dareka-san (somebody) came late.

Ex2 (Your mom talking to you)

誰かさんと違ちがって、田た中なかさんの息子むすこさんはよく勉強べんきょうするそうよ
I’ve heard Tanaka’s son studies well unlike dareka-san (you).

(note)

Although you may find it somewhat strange, the honorific term “さん” (san) is often put after “息子むすこ“ (musuko) meaning “son” or “娘むすめ” (musume) meaning “daughter”, when you refer to someone’s daughter/son in a polite way. Therefore, it’ better to say musuko-san or musume-san when you refer to a child of someone who is older or in a higher potion than you.

Synonyms: None
Synonyms in English: somebody- mentioning no names -, you-know-who
Related words and phrases: 誰だれ (who), 誰だれか (somebody/anybody), さん (-san, a Japanese honorific)