Question considering names

scanned · 28-11-2001, 07:03 AM

Can anyone explain, what these words in the name mean -> kun, senpai, san, chan etc. I guess they somehwat like titles. Am I right?

Oh, and sorry for the stupid question. =)

oppa · 28-11-2001, 07:54 AM

Senpai -- Basically means "senior." It's primarily used in the workplace or at school. It's to show respect to a colleague or classmate that's older than you (or has a higher "rank").

San -- Means "Mr." or "Mrs." essentially. Calling me "oppa-san" would be the same as "Mr. oppa."

Kun -- Normally used as a respectful way of calling a younger male by "Mr." Like when Seta-san is calling Keitaro "Keitaro-kun," he's basically calling him "Mr. Keitaro" but it's not as proper as "san."

Chan -- A suffix you add on to show familiarity with a person. Officially, I believe it's for the female gender but it's been used for the males alot too. Basically, if someone is your friend, "chan" can be slapped on to be more "friendly."

Sama -- It's basically "san" but it's a more polite and respectful way of saying it. Sometimes it's translated as "master."

That's all I can think of that you haven't. Heh, yea, just one, but these are the ones you'll hear the most. I may be slightly off on some, but the general idea is all there.

KamuiX · 28-11-2001, 08:02 AM

It's not a stupid question

What you listed are all basic Japanese subfixes that add either respect, friendship or kinship to a person's name.

I'll take two basic ones:

Senpai - Basically means teacher or elder. It's flexible enough to be used on someone who is just a tutor for instance, but can be used for the head of the household as well. This also doesn't have to be used as subfix, taking over the entire title for a person. (Either Irashima-senpai or just Senpai would be fine for Shinobu to call Keitaro, for instance.)

Sama - Only used for those that deserve extremely great respect, like a king or grand master.

Palchan · 28-11-2001, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KamuiX
Sama - Only used for those that deserve extremely great respect, like a king or grand master. [/B]

or Palchan. ^^;;

thedarkmarine · 28-11-2001, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Palchan

or Palchan. ^^;;

Right after you rail him. ^^;;

DarkHunter6523 · 28-11-2001, 04:22 PM

Actually, I think Oppa had a more accurate meaning of Sempai.

In the OMG series Keiichi often referred to the big guy as sempai and he wasn't exactly his teacher. If anything Keiichi was far more mature than him. In the movie Belldandy referred to Celestine as "Celestine-sensei." Since Celestine was more of a teacher to her than an upper-classmen it's only logical to conclude that the suffix "sensei" is used for teachers or mentors whereas sempai are for upper-classmen. Keitaro wasn't Shinobu's teacher (although he did teach her some stuff) but rather her sempai because he was also a fellow student.