What do the suffixes in japanese names mean?

Question

I was watching a show translated from Japanese to English and the characters refer themselves with -chan or -sama.

Answer 1

Suffixes often show your relationship to the other person. The characters were referring to EACH OTHER, not themselves, when they used these. It is rude to say "san", "chan", "kun", "sama", "sensei" or any sort of name-suffix after your OWN name.

San - this is a formal way to refer to any person. If you are talking about or to another person, you should always use -san after saying his/her name (usually last name).

Chan - this is often used after the names of close female friends. It is also popular to use with children's names (both male and female). Chan requires the speaker to be intimate/friends with the person, and most of the time people use it when they are talking TO that person, or about that person when they are among other FRIENDS of that person. If you are talking about a female friend to someone who does not know her, then you should still use "san". For very little children, you don't have to know them to use "chan" because it's often seen as a cute way to talk to a child. "chan" is also used among people who have known each other since childhood. This is probably why the characters used "chan" in your show.

Kun - this is similar to chan but is used for male friends. Once again, it is often used when talking TO that person (like calling his name) or about a person when everyone you are talking to knows him.

Sama - sama is a highly respectful thing to say. It is used like san, but "sama" is only said when talking to or about someone who is "above you", especially in regards to your occupations. God is also referred to as "kami-sama".

Sensei - If someone is a teacher, professor, or they are teaching you something in which they are an expert, you should say sensei after their name.

Answer 2

-chan= after a girl's name, but only someone whom you're familiar with, or younger than you-NEVER to someone older.

-kun=same thing, except it's after a boy's name.

-sama=very respectful, either male or female. adult of importance, usually. also put after last names, like "mr. miss. ms." is put before on envelope addresses.


hope that helped! ~(^o^)~