Japanese Honorifics Guide: San, Kun, Chan, Sama and More - JapanesePod101.com Blog (2023)

FAQs

What is the most respectful Japanese honorific? ›

4: Samaさま In the hierarchy of Japanese honorifics, this one sits at the top. Samaさま is a more formal term of address for those deserving of the utmost respect, those of higher rank, and anyone you'd like to communicate deference and admiration for.

There are only two prefix honorifics: お- (o-) and ご- (go-).

-Sama is another common – though less common – polite, formal suffix. It's used to show great respect to individuals who are older or higher ranking than you. It's commonly used: By businesses when referring to customers.

"San," "kun," and "chan" are added to the ends of names and occupation titles to convey varying degrees of intimacy and respect in the Japanese language. They are used very often and it is considered impolite if you use the terms incorrectly.

Sometimes the honorific will be attached to the person's first name for other reasons, such as when two people are especially close or if you're a foreigner. Unlike Japanese people, foreigners usually use first names more and Japanese people tend to respect that choice.

Japanese does not really use terms of endearment like in English (honey, babe etc). The most common way for Japanese guys to call their girlfriend is simply to use their first name, either by itself or with the suffix -chan.

Although for the Japanese they tell a lot more about the relationships between people. Honorifics are gender neutral, but some are used more for one gender than the other. Kun, for example, is used more for males while chan is for females.

Sama (さま) is the respectful version of san, mostly used in business and clientele contexts, for people of higher rank, or somebody you admire. This is because the implied superiority of the guest or customer is very strong. Sama is gender-neutral just like san. Mr. or Mrs.

The use of keigo or honorifics is a must in the Japanese language. It is the art of respectful language and is deeply ingrained in their values. There are a lot of honorifics that one can use to refer to another person in conversation. They are mainly categorized between formal and informal.

Ara ara (あら あら) is a Japanese expression that is mainly used by older females and means “My my”, “Oh dear”, or “Oh me, oh my”.

What does DEKU mean in Japanese? ›

Here's what “deku” means in Japanese and in the anime My Hero Academia. Deku (木偶) is a Japanese word that means “wooden figure” or “puppet” but also “blockhead”, “fool”, or... Less. AlexRockinJapanese | Japanese Study Blog.

Kun is not only used to address females formally; it can also be used for a very close friend or family member. Calling a female -kun is not insulting and can also mean that the person is respected, although that is not the normal implication.

Chan is used to add a cute friendly later to a person's name or a noun. There is no big difference from men or women using it. Although, 'chan' is used for girls and boys like Aya-chan, Yoshi-chan. But for boys there's also the use of Kun.

As a rule of thumb, in Japanese business life, the surname name is always followed by the honorific suffix “san” (meaning “dear” or actually “honorable Mr/Ms.”). There are of course many other options such as “sama” (highly revered customer or company manager) or “sensei” (Dr. or professor).

Chan (ちゃん) is a form of san used to refer to children and female family members, close friends and lovers. The change from san to chan is a kind of "baby talk" in Japanese where "sh" sounds are turned into "ch" sounds, such as chitchai for chiisai, "small".

In comparison to languages such as Japanese and Korean, English doesn't have an especially rich system of honorifics. Commonly used honorifics in English include Mr., Mrs., Ms., Captain, Coach, Professor, Reverend (to a member of the clergy), and Your Honor (to a judge).

Non-Japanese citizens can obtain Japanese citizenship when they complete the process of naturalization.

The world's population has a multitude of mixed races with a multitude of nationality names. It is your choice to give yourself a chosen Japanese name that you can hold in honor to yourself. Just don't forget to honor your country which gives you the right to do so.

The most common Japanese word for 'wife' is okusan (奥さん / おくさん). But hang on, there's also tsuma (妻 / つま), kamisan (上さん / かみさん), and many more!

Kareshi (彼氏 / かれし) is the most commonly used word for 'boyfriend' in Japanese.

What is Japanese girl love called? ›

Yuri (Japanese: 百合, lit. "lily"), also known by the wasei-eigo construction girls' love (ガールズラブ, gāruzu rabu), is a genre of Japanese media focusing on intimate relationships between female characters.

Daarin is the best way to say 'my darling' in Japanese. Since the Japanese language doesn't really have any native terms of endearment, they have borrowed this from English! Daarin is a gender-neutral term of endearment, so both boyfriends and girlfriends can call each other this way.

Although there is no exact translation into English, senpai (先輩) means an upperclassman, senior employee or other older person with whom you have dealings. Conversely, kohai (後輩) is the junior or lower person. Who is senpai and who is kohai is determined by age and rank, which in Japan are often the same thing.

–Kun (くん), the most commonly used honorific in anime. It is used to address young males. It is also used by superiors to inferiors and male of the same age and status. –Chan (ちゃん), most frequently used for girls and between them, children, close friends, or lovers.

Sama - Girl's name meaning, origin, and popularity | BabyCenter.

Additional comment actions. no, senpai means upperclassman and kōhai means underclassman. they're both gender-neutral words. female senpai will still be called senpai.

“Dono（殿）” used to mean “Daimyo” – the leader of Samurais – therefore it implies some sort of “tension”. This expression has obviously become a bit old and is actually less polite than “sama”. “Dono” is usually used in writing by senior or upper person (e.g. boss).

Proponents of the Japanese sleep system claim many benefits--both health and otherwise--to sleeping on the floor. Among them: Cooler temperatures, since cool air settles to the floor. Better circulation, and reduced back and muscle pain.

It is considered very impolite and offensive not to use honorific sentences or words with someone who is older or has a higher social status, and most Koreans avoid using non-honorific sentences with someone they have met for the first time.

uwu is often used to denote cuteness, happiness, or tenderness.

What does Ufufu mean? ›

(fandom slang, chiefly in translations of Japanese works) Onomatopoeia for laughter.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Ara means "king," but it might be refreshing to learn that this distinctive name for boys and girls alike also means "brings rain." Rainwater is symbolic of new life, growth, and possibility, making Ara an ideal name for your precious newborn.

It's a portmanteau of Bakugo's first name Katsuki and the "chan" honorific. This is normally used for small children, cute girls and close friends. It can also be used for older boys, although it's considered a bit odd. Midoriya probably uses this honorific because he sees Bakugo as a close friend.

Due to this reason, Bakugo firmly believed that Midoriya would never become a hero. As a result, he began calling him "Deku" to mock him. The term "Deku" is meant to be a Japanese abbreviation of the word "Dekunobou." It roughly translates to "good for nothing," which perfectly describes how Bakugo views Midoriya.

Chan is used to add a cute friendly later to a person's name or a noun. There is no big difference from men or women using it. Although, 'chan' is used for girls and boys like Aya-chan, Yoshi-chan. But for boys there's also the use of Kun.

Titles for females. o-nee-san (お姉さん, 'elder sister' ): A young woman older or more senior than the speaker. It is extremely common for familial names to be used for all categories of people. Boys can be addressed as 'elder brother' and 'younger brother', girls as 'elder sister' and 'younger sister', etc.

'Chan' is typically used for young children, close female friends and babies. 'Kun' is typically for younger boys and close male friends.

For students, the term is usually xuézhǎng/xuéjiě (學長/姐, more common in Taiwan) or shīxiōng/shījiě (师兄/姐, Mainland China) for male and female senpai, respectively, and xuédì/xuémèi (學弟/妹, Taiwan) or shīdì/shīmèi (师弟/妹, Mainland China) for male and female kohai, respectively.

Is San used for lovers? No they do not. Honorifics include “San” which is attached to another's name but never for oneself. People usually refer to themselves by name only and perhaps their profession.

What does Domo mean in Japan? ›

DOMO means "very". It's especially helpful when stressing appreciation or making an apology. When you buy something at a store, store clerk would say "DOMO ARIGATOU", meaning thank you "very much". You can also use DOMO as a greeting like "hello". And just saying DOMO can mean a casual way of "thank you" like thanks.

In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow can ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates respect and conversely a small nod with the head is casual and informal. If the greeting takes place on tatami floor, people get on their knees to bow.

–Dono (どの), roughly means “lord” or “master”, and lies below sama in its respect level.

Chan (ちゃん) is the childish version of san and refers to children and girls. The change from the “s” sound to “ch” is considered cute in Japanese. Chan could also be used to refer to an endearing adult. It is considered arrogant to refer to yourself in the third person in Japanese but chan is the exception.

As a rule of thumb, in Japanese business life, the surname name is always followed by the honorific suffix “san” (meaning “dear” or actually “honorable Mr/Ms.”). There are of course many other options such as “sama” (highly revered customer or company manager) or “sensei” (Dr. or professor).

When addressing someone you should suffix that person's surname with the term 'san'. So, if you're speaking to Mr Sato, then the correct way to address him would be as Sato-san. If you're speaking to Mrs Sato, then she too should be addressed as Sato-san.

“Dono” is usually used in writing by senior or upper person (e.g. boss). Sometimes companies call their employees “dono” but it is not so common anymore. As mentioned above, “san” is also a polite way to call one another. It can be used easily.

Kun is not only used to address females formally; it can also be used for a very close friend or family member. Calling a female -kun is not insulting and can also mean that the person is respected, although that is not the normal implication.

In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow can ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates respect and conversely a small nod with the head is casual and informal. If the greeting takes place on tatami floor, people get on their knees to bow.

You can make it more formal by saying "gomen-nasai" ごめんなさい or more friendly with "gomen-ne" ごめんね. "Warui warui" 悪い悪い or "my bad" is also a very casual way to say sorry. "Sumimasen" すみません, which can be translated as "excuse me", also works as an apology depending on how it is used.

How do you address a Japanese person you don't know? ›

Being polite: san and sama

Either add sama to the end of someone's name or refer to them as 客様 (Kyaku-sama) if you don't know their name.

Daarin (ダーリン)

Daarin is the best way to say 'my darling' in Japanese. Since the Japanese language doesn't really have any native terms of endearment, they have borrowed this from English! Daarin is a gender-neutral term of endearment, so both boyfriends and girlfriends can call each other this way.

Proponents of the Japanese sleep system claim many benefits--both health and otherwise--to sleeping on the floor. Among them: Cooler temperatures, since cool air settles to the floor. Better circulation, and reduced back and muscle pain.