1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Any Japanese speakers?

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by RedTrekkie95, Jun 25, 2017.

  1. RedTrekkie95

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Gwynedd, UK
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    All but family
    Hi there, all you lovely people.

    There is something that's been on my mind recently. Just out of curiosity, I was wandering what the suffix -san meant after hearing it repeatedly in a Japanese show. For example at the end of a name. Could anyone please tell me what it means?

    Thanks, take care. :slight_smile:
     
  2. DarkWhite

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    55
    Location:
    Czech Republic
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    - san is added behind a name of person you have respect for. For example your school teacher. It doesn't mean anything, you are just showing person you respect them by adding -san behind their name. Hope it helped :slight_smile:
     
    #2 DarkWhite, Jun 25, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
  3. blaziken25

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2014
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    For your school teacher you should use Sensei. For example: My Japanese university teacher's name is Umeda. I use her lastname to address her and call her Umeda-sensei. In return she calls me [firstname]-san.
     
    #3 blaziken25, Jun 25, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
  4. Senpai25

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2017
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    A few people
    Using -san is a way of showing respect for the person you are addressing. It generally is the equivalent of Mr., Ms., and Mrs. as well.
     
  5. DarkWhite

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    55
    Location:
    Czech Republic
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Yea I know but I didn't come up with better example.
     
    #5 DarkWhite, Jun 25, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
  6. blaziken25

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2014
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Basically anyone you meet. Call them san. Not so sure on the -kun and -chan but they refer to children.
     
  7. kibou97

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2016
    Messages:
    782
    Likes Received:
    15
    Location:
    Kentucky
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Some people
    San: unigender suffix for names used to show respect to those either around your age or basically anyone not below the age of young adult/teen.
    Kun: male suffix used if you're a bit closer to the person or used with small boys when they're trying to seem mature.
    Sensei: teacher, doctor, or someone that is extremely good at their trade and is used to show respect.
    Chan: suffix used mainly when referring to small children of both genders, sometimes elderly people may use it for teenage girls (ex: high schooler), or to refer to your pet or other small animal.
     
    #7 kibou97, Jun 25, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
  8. Andrew99

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    Messages:
    3,402
    Likes Received:
    8
    Location:
    Milwaukee
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Kanichiwah?
     
  9. Nimmer

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2017
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    26
    Location:
    UK
    Gender:
    Other
    Gender Pronoun:
    They
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    -san would be used to address someone your age, or someone on the same or slightly-higher hierarchical level. You'd use it to greet your neighbours, for instance, or someone you happen to know but not too well, or a shopkeeper, etc.

    You'd use -sama for someone who's 'higher' and 'more distant' to you. E.g. said shopkeeper would address you as '(customer)-sama'.

    For people higher in any given hierarchy in work situations, you'd use their title. Like -sensei for a teacher/doctor, or -shachou, -kaichou, etc. for your boss (depending on their role in the company).

    I've also heard -dono used, but it's pretty outdated (it used to be for 'lord' or 'master'), and seems to be used in specific circumstances only, like ceremonies.

    -kun and -chan: as above, for children—or if you're deliberately trying to insult or / snark at someone.