In this lesson you will learn how to use suffixes like chan, kun and san.
What does kun mean in japanese?
In Japanese, “kun” (君/くん) is an honorific suffix used to address boys and young men, typically in a friendly or informal context. It’s often used among peers, by superiors addressing subordinates, or by teachers addressing male students. “Kun” can also convey a sense of closeness or familiarity, so it might be used among friends or colleagues. While it is mostly used for males, it can occasionally be used for girls in certain contexts, usually to imply endearment or informality. For instance, a boss might use “kun” with younger employees to foster a friendly work environment.
What does san mean in japanese?
In Japanese, “san” (さん) is an honorific suffix used to show respect and politeness. It is similar to Mr., Mrs., or Ms. in English and can be used for both men and women. “San” is versatile and is used in formal and semi-formal contexts, such as in the workplace, among acquaintances, or when addressing someone of higher status. It can be attached to both given names and surnames. For example, “Tanaka-san” could refer to Mr. or Ms. Tanaka. Using “san” indicates a respectful distance and acknowledges the person’s dignity.
What does chan mean in japanese?
In Japanese, “chan” (ちゃん) is an affectionate and informal honorific suffix. It is often used for children, close friends, or loved ones, and conveys endearment and familiarity. “Chan” is commonly attached to the names of young children, especially girls, but it can also be used for pets or among close-knit family members and friends. For instance, a girl named Hana might be called “Hana-chan” by her parents or friends. Using “chan” denotes a sense of closeness and warmth, making it a popular choice in informal and affectionate settings.
Dialogue
One day, Mr. Hayashi’s older sister Mayumi visited the family. They are heading for a shopping street which has some restaurants.
The dialogue includes Mr. Hayashi, his sister Mayumi, his wife Eriko, his son Kazuya, Kazuya’s younger sister Kayo, and Kazuya’s classmate Yuki. Note that everyone uses casual Japanese.
Japanese:
林: 姉さん、何が食べたい? 真由美: 何でもいいわよ。あんたが食べたい物にしたら?
ひろちゃんはもっと太らないとだめ。林: でも、俺はちゃんと食べてるんだけどな。 真由美: 確かに皆やせてるわね。和也ちゃん、ちゃんと食べてるの? 和也: (In his mind) 「ちゃん」って言わないでよ!
(Loudly, and adult-like) はい、ちゃんと食べてますよ。恵理子: 真由美さん、和也は肉しか食べないのよ。 真由美: あら、ほんと? 加代ちゃんは野菜好きなのにね。 Kazuya’s classmate Yuki is walking towards the family. 由紀: あ、林君。 和也: (In his mind) おばさん、お願いだから「ちゃん」って言わないでください!
(To Yuki, in serious voice) ごめん、急いでるんだ。またな。由紀: あら、そうなの? じゃあ、またね。 Reaching a restaurant: ウェートレス: いらっしゃいませ。お客様、何名様ですか? 林: 5人です。 ウェートレス: こちらにどうぞ。
The waitress leads them to a table, and they sit down there.
加代: (To her father) あっちのテーブルに、木村さんたちがいたよ。 和也: げ、木村がいるって? 今日はついてないな。 恵理子: 和也、どういう意味? 林: (In murmured voice) 俺も、木村さんには会いたくないな。 真由美: 恵理子さん、メニューを見せてくれる? Roomaji:
Hayashi: Neesan, nani ga tabetai? Mayumi: Nandemo ii wa yo. Anta ga tabetai mono ni shitara? Hiro-chan wa motto futoranai to dame. Hayashi: Demo, ore wa chanto tabeteru nda kedo na. Mayumi: Tashika ni, minna yaseteru wa ne. Kazuya-chan, chanto tabeteru no? Kazuya: (In his mind) “Chan” tte iwanai de yo!
(Loudly and adult-like) Hai, chanto tabetemasu yo.Eriko: Mayumi-san, Kazuya wa nikushika tabenai no yo. Mayumi: Ara, honto? Kayo-chan wa yasai suki nanoni ne.
Kazuya’s classmate Yuki is walking towards the family.
Yuki: A, Hayashi-kun. Kazuya: (In his mind) Obasan, onegai dakara “chan” tte iwanai de kudasai!
(To Yuki in a serious voice) Gomen, isoideru n da. Mata na.Yuki: Ara, sou nano? Jaa, mata ne. Reaching a restaurant: Weetoresu: Irasshaimase. Okyakusama, nanmeisama desu ka? Hayashi: 5 nin desu. Weetoresu: Kochira ni douzo. The waitress leads them to a table, and they sit down there. Kayo (To her father) Acchi no teeburu ni, Kimura-san tachi ga ita yo. Kazuya: Ge, Kimura ga irutte? Kyou wa tuite nai na. Eriko: Kazuya, douiu imi? Hayashi: (In a murmured voice) Ore mo, kimura-san niwa aitakunai na. Mayumi: Eriko-san, menyuu o misete kureru?
English:
Hayashi: What do you want to eat? Mayumi: Anything is okay. Why don’t you select your favorite one? You
should get fatter, Hiro-chan.Hayashi: But I eat properly though. Mayumi: Certainly everyone is thin. Kazuya-chan, do you eat enough? Kazuya: Don’t say “chan”! Yes, I eat properly. Eriko: Mayumi-san, he only eats meat. Mayumi: Really? Although you like vegetables, Kayo-chan? Kazuya’s classmate Yuki is walking towards the family.
Yuki: Oh, Hayashi-kun. Kazuya: (In his mind) Aunt Mayumi, please do not call me with “chan”!
(To Yuki in a serious voice) Sorry, but I’m hurry. See you.Yuki: So? Then, see you. Reaching a restaurant: Waitress: Hello. How many people are you? Hayashi: We are five. Waitress: Please, come here.
The waitress leads them to a table, and they sit down there.
Kayo: (To her father) At that table over there – it’s Kimura-san and some others. Kazuya: Oh, my, Is Kimura there? Today I’m unlucky! Eriko: What do you mean, Kazuya? Hayashi: (In a murmured voice) I don’t see/meet Kimura-san either. Mayumi: Eriko-san, could you show me the menu?
Vocabulary
何でもいい | nan demo ii | anything is okay |
したら? | shitara? | Why don’t you…? |
(inflected verb) ないとだめ | nai to dame | (you) should do, must do |
ちゃんと | chanto | properly, enough |
確かに | tashikani | certainly |
言わないでよ | iwanaide yo | Don’t say…! |
A しか食べない | A shika tabenai | only eat A |
ほんと? | honto? | really? |
いらっしゃいませ | Irasshaimase | Hello / Welcome. (You often hear this greeting at eating places, stores, hotels etc.) |
お客様 | okyakusama | one of addressing words to customer, guest etc. |
げ | ge | My god, Oh, my, Oops |
ついてない | tsuite nai | unlucky |
会いたくない | aitaku nai | I don’t want to see/meet |
Notes on the Dialogue
This dialogue contains a lot of words used to address people. Here are some comments on how they were used in this dialogue.
- さん – This is the most common addressing word, and it’s often translated or explained to correspond with English Mr./Mrs./Miss. But please note that you can’t use “さん” by itself alone. It’s always used together with person’s name or other noun like 真由美さん (her first name), 木村さん (the family name), 社長さん (the title “president”), ウェートレスさん (her occupation “waitress”), 姉さん (big sister), お父さん (father) etc.
- ちゃん – This word is used commonly, too, but it’s a little different from “さん”. We tend to call someone with “ちゃn” when the person is younger than you, when the person is female, when you feel the person is closer to you, when the person is a little child and so on. In this dialogue, Mayumi calls her younger brother “ひろちゃん” (his first name is “Hiroki”), and it’s common. Also she calls her nephew “和也ちゃん”, but he doesn’t like this. Such a young boy (he is 17 years old) feels embarrassed it because he feels like he is treated as a child or girl. But Mayumi like him so much, so she can’t stop calling him with “ちゃん” even though she knows his feelings.
- 君(くん) – This word is used to boys generally. At school, girls call boys with this. Teachers might call boys with this, and “さん” to girls, but male teachers might call the students’ name (family/first) without any addressing words. Older teacher might use “君” to the students regardless of the gender. At work, this word is used for younger male person, but some people use “さん” to anyone regardless of the age. Older people might use “君” to younger or lower position person regardless of the gender.
- 様(さま) – This one is very polite. Generally we only write this with someone’s full name on the envelope or postcard. But you are often addressed in by this in everywhere – at hotel, restaurant, department store etc. The customers are supposed to be treated more politely, so the workers have to use “様” instead of “さん” and other some words.
- たち – When the person is not alone, you often use this word after above addressing words: 木村さんたち (a person named Kimura and someone(s)), 林君たち (a person named Hayashi and someone(s)), 加代ちゃんたち (Kayo-chan and someone(s)) etc. But this word is not polite as much as you can use with “様”. For “様”, you should use “方(がた)” like “お客様方(おきゃくさまがた)”.
- Without addressing word – Among family and closer friends, you often call the person without any addressing words like above. But when you keep calling someone with “さん” like “林さん” for example, “林さん” becomes is his nickname or so. Therefore, you may continue calling him “林さん” even though you became really close friends. On the other hand, you remove such addressing words from the person when you don’t like the person. Kazuya says “木村” simply, and it’s because he dislikes him. In fact, “木村さんたち” indicates Mr. Kimura and the son. The son is Kazuya’s class mate, and Mr. Kimura works at the same company as Mr. Hayashi. Mr. Hayashi doesn’t like him either, but he says “木村さん” because of his personality. That means, he is more polite and humble person. Kids are more straight so often.
- 先生(せんせい) – Normally it means teacher or doctor, but sometimes is used as an addressing word which expresses your respect. For example, when you realized your friend can speak English greatly, you may call him/her “先生” or with the name like “和也先生”. This is often used as a joke, but you might use it seriously at times. But the person may not accept such calling when he/she is more humble.