I know that nii-san refers to an older brother or male friend. Is it also correct to use for a close male friend that is younger than you?
2007-03-12 17:52:05 · 3 answers · asked by DazeyChain 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
If it's not appropriate for younger male friends, does anyone know the proper affectionate term for a male friend that is younger than you?
2007-03-12 18:05:46 · update #1
A proper term would be just to call them their name with -kun attached. Otouto is the proper term for little brother, but it really is only used when generally talking about/to one's own younger brother. The younger children tend to use honorifics like Nii-san and Nee-san when speaking of/to older siblings/ or close male/female friends. Younger children are often reffered to as *insert name*-chan (Ex. Sakura-chan/ Jiro-chan) or *insert name*-kun (Ex. Kyou-kun) by elder siblings/ close older friends. Chan is usually used for girls and Kun for boys, but they may be interchanged. They are also used among those who are in the same age group. They may also drop the extra tags and call them by name which shows they have a very close relationship.
2007-03-12 18:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Hurricane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At Home With Nii-san
2016-12-17 11:34:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just want to make a correction on using "otouto" to refer to your younger brother. I asked a Japanese friend about this one, and was told that you wouldn't call your brother "otouto" the way you would call your older brother "niichan." It's mostly because "niisan" and "niichan" are more of a term of respect, whereas by nature of referring to someone younger, "otouto" isn't really a term of respect. She said that you would refer to your brother by name with -kun or -chan on the end, as said previously. Basically you'd use "otouto" to talk about him.
I agree that it sounds odd to use for someone younger than you, though. I'd say stick to -kun (as -chan sounds a little girly).
2007-03-13 00:55:32 · answer #3 · answered by kaitlyne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can't be for male friends younger than you, but it can be for male friends older than you. Be careful though, because it sounds a bit clingy and childish.
2007-03-12 18:01:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-03-27 03:08:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋