To Japanese out there?

Question

Do you guys really call your brother as aniki or onii-chan....If you do...why is that? I'm just curious.....maybe i watched to many japanese drama.....Why can't you just call your older brother by their name?

Answer 1

The reason for this is that because in Japanese culture, importance is always placed upon the hierarchical structures that exist. If you were to address an elder by their given name, they would be offended; however, their close friends would have this right.

It's the same with brothers and sisters, although they may not be offended, our parents would be upset if we didn't adhere to the ways.

I do call my brother onii-chan and my sister nii-chan.

To sum up an answer - yes, we do!

Answer 2

In Japanese society, it is common practice to call someone by their position. In a family, older siblings are called aniki/onii-chan or for sisters, aneki/onee-chan. However, older siblings address their younger siblings by their name or nickname with -chan at the end.

In my family, my wife calls me otoosan since we have kids. In Japanese families, as in mine, the wife is called by her name.

This is especially prevalent in the working world in Japan. Once a person achieves the rank of kakarichou (係長) or higher, that person is called by their title from that point on. So, when Tanaka-san is appointed the new kakarichou, he/she stops being called Tanaka-san and starts being called Kakarichou. -san is often added to the title starting from buchou (部長).

Answer 3

you don't call a person by name because then there's no clear hierchy or status. just like you wouldn't call your parents by first name! And yes, I do call my sister nee-chan.