2007-08-13 08:40:34 · 9 answers · asked by Fire-Fly 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It means 'big brother.' It can be used to refer to an actual big brother, or to someone looked upon as a big brother.
I know this question has already been answered, but I want to comment on the use of '-chan.' Others are claiming it is childish and immature, even mocking. It is not necessarily any of these things. It is a more endearing form of '-san,' and that's all! Any adult Japanese person uses '-chan' many times a day, and not only when speaking to children or boy/girlfriends. Come to Japan and you will here this word used all the time, in all kinds of contexts.
2007-08-13 19:21:00 · answer #1 · answered by Todd 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Besides big brother, they sometime use onii-chan to refer to a boy whose name is unknown, especially in and around Osaka.
2007-08-13 10:01:51 · answer #2 · answered by RyoTa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Japanese, no one would call me onii-chan.
2007-08-13 10:13:05 · answer #3 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
little guy that has a big brother onii-chan is big brother
2007-08-13 09:34:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A young girl would say that to her older brother because it means big brother and -chan is somewhat immature and childish.
2007-08-13 08:52:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means "Little Brother" because if it was "Onii-san" then that would be big brother. The honorific "chan" refers to child-like or endearment.
2007-08-13 08:45:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
It means big brother, and "-chan" is a somewhat childish, affectionate (sometimes mockingly so) suffix.
2007-08-13 08:44:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think shes saying you mean alot to her like a brother. but if she says it in a sort of seductive way she may be into you,hehe!
2016-05-17 04:35:48 · answer #8 · answered by yun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big brother.
2007-08-13 08:42:21 · answer #9 · answered by Belie 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋