how do you u 'san', 'chan' or 'kun' after a person's name.

Started by endless_sorrow · 17 Jun 2003 · 63 replies

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15 Apr 2007, 08:50 #61
How do you know what ending to put on a name in japanese? like in the anime's thiers kei-kun meiko-chan ect. does it go by gender or formality I've been wondering for some time now if someone could answer it for me i would greatly appreciate it. thank you :metaldevil:
15 Apr 2007, 09:09 #62
Welcome to Jdorama. The suffix used to address a person is quite easy to understand:

san - A formal term which is applicable to both male and female.
kun - A casual term usually used to address a male that is younger or lower in status (a kouhei).
chan - A general term to address children that is applicable to both male and female.
sama - A formal term used to address someone of higher status, applicable to both male and female.
dono - Even more formal than 'sama', used mostly in writing only nowadays.
15 Apr 2007, 19:28 #63
could you have some ones name in wwritting like that or only when adressing in person.. example......suki(<last name) yukiko san?
15 Apr 2007, 20:18 #64
jeshatt erkis wrote:could you have some ones name in wwritting like that or only when adressing in person.. example......suki(<last name) yukiko san?


'Dono' is used nearly only in writing nowadays. The rest is used in both speech and writing.

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