does anyone know how to use the japanese addresses which are -chan, -kun, -san, N -sama??? any examples??? any other japanese addresses??? thnx a lot!!
2006-12-11 02:37:31 · 6 answers · asked by shin_koxo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
These are to express what kind of relationship you have with the person. Usually it follows the name of the person.
-chan are use between close friends ( almost like a nickname ) or by parents to call their child or between brothers/sisters : oni-chan (brother), Sakura-chan
-sempai : for uperclass
-kouhai : for people who are levels under your class
-kun : usually used by adult adressing young men. It is sometimes used with girls too
-sama : it shows respect. To use to call elders, people you respect : oji-sama (grandfather)
-san : to adresse friend or people you meet. Work for both gender
-sensei : for people with knowledge or doctors
-dono : for young men
2006-12-11 02:53:11 · answer #1 · answered by kl55000 6 · 6⤊ 2⤋
That has always confused the heck out of me as well... Great question! Thanks for asking it!
I too will enjoy reading the answers...
It is funny how you can learn the entire language and then get so caught up in the little incidentals. It is a strange and beautiful culture!
I agree with most of the things above, but you will actually find Japanese people very sympathetic with mistakes... If they understand that you are American, they do not "get pissed." They will help you if you need it. It is in their nature to VERY POLITELY AND WITH THE UTMOST CAUTION, correct honest mistakes not "get pissed."
2006-12-11 03:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
-chan INTIMATE is for friends, when they are close to each other, usually between kids. An adult also can call a kid -chan if they are close. I consider it as a cute address^^ -chan is basically for little ones to teens. If you wanna tease somebody, go with this address. Girls use between them frequently. Boys, well, not really address between themselves with -chan very much, unless it's to tease. Literally would mean "kid" if you are teasing, but I hope it is not the case :)
-kun, RESPECTIVE well, between teammates, usually used between teen-aged and kids. A teacher calls a student -kun. Kids, or teenagers that are not that intimate, call each other -kun. As long as you are not middle-aged, this address is okay.
-san RESPECTIVE is the most common one. Adult call each other -san. The younger calls the older -san too. If you are not VERY intimate, -san is the best to use. It literally means "mister" or "miss" or "Mrs.", "madam". A student is also called by the -san address, if you just know a person, this is a must. -san can ALSO BE USED FOR PARENT ADDRESSING. Okaa-san(mother) and Oni-san(father)
-sama RESPECTIVE is a phrase for people you worship and admire. Usually you are not very intimate with the people you call "-sama", and often people that are addressed like this are in high positions. In fantasy novels, mangas, or well.... erotic BDSM (Or so I heard, I don't even know what's the full name of BDSM), the one who is being controlled use this phrase to well.... address the err, guy or girl who is in control. Remember, if you admire and worship an idol, like well, Utada? You'll be one of her fans to come up with "Utada-sama"!! Squee!!! But -sama CAN ALSO BE USED FOR PARENT ADDRESS. okaa-sama (mother)
-senpai RESPECTIVE is used if you are calling for your higher colligue(spelling?) Just used on someone older and more experienced than you, who work in the same firm or company as you. You can also just say "senpai" and throw off the name.
The exact opposite is kouhai, but I think it's better to use -san.
-baba is for old people, usually old women. You guessed it. Call a girl by this and get pounded to Hell. Hehehe. Unless they are close to you, use this for old people.
No address: Either a rude calling to a person, or you are really very very close to someone.
Koi: Not the fish, mind you, it works like "Darling", so no name, just "koi"
You must address people correctly. You know, some would get pissy if they don't get a proper or respected address. And oh, above addresses are either feminine or masculine, applies to all sexes.
2006-12-11 03:13:34 · answer #3 · answered by Cherant 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
MOST of the info above is correct. I'd like to add that you never use -san (or any other title) when talking about yourself. You never say it when you introduce yourself bc it is a term of respect used for others.
-sama is used on formal occasions, such as writing invitations. It is also used by shopclerks for addressing customers. In old stories husbands, wives, and other members of immediate family use it when addressing each other, but this is old-fashioned.
-san is sometimes used by kids and in kid's books for referring to animals, the moon, the sun, etc. . .just as some kids' books might say "Mr Bear, " "Mr Sun," etc.
2006-12-11 04:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by tiger lou 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
chan- u can use it for ur best friend
kun- for boy
san- ???
sama- older
2006-12-12 01:50:32 · answer #5 · answered by Zyura Koizumi 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
-San is akin to Mr or Mrs or Ms.
-Kun is used for small boys or your young male peers (of the same age group, not as in 'house of lords' sort of peers!)
-Chan is used for small girls and your young female peers. In the past it was also used for boys, but now -kun has taken over.
-Sama is used as an ultra-polite form of -san. When your name is called at the local hospital, they call you -sama. Mail is addressed to -sama instead of -san. It's just more polite, and it's not used for royalty and it does not mean 'lord'!
-Heika is used for the Emperor.
-Denka is used for Princes or Princesses.
-Sensei is used for teachers, and also for doctors & members of parliament.
-Dono is an even MORE ultra-polite way of saying -san! This means lord. Allegedly it's occasionally used when addressing mail. I've never heard of it, but I asked my Japanese husband for more suffixes!
Mother is actually Okaa-san.
Father is Otou-san.
Uncle is Oji-san. This is also used as a general term for children speaking to middle-aged men who are not related, if they don't know the man's name for example.
Grandfather is Ojii-san. (This is used by kids to older men.)
Grandmother is Obaa-san. (This is used by kids to older women in the same way that 'Grandfather' is used to older men.)
Onii-san is older brother. This used by kids for younger adult males.
Onee-san is older sister. It's used by kids to younger adult females..!
Oba-san is aunt. It's used by kids to middle aged ladies too!
How complicated! I bet you wish you hadn't asked now...!
; D
2006-12-11 11:47:27 · answer #6 · answered by _ 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋