Tofugu - Latest Comments in What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Sakura Miama — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 09:06:13 -0000

That's really rude...

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Laurie — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 04:58:46 -0000

Thank you. I watch a lot of Japanese movies, heck I even lived there almost 50 years ago, but I never could figure out how to distinguish which honorific belonged to whom. :)

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Megalus Doomslayer — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 23:31:32 -0000

As someone simply browsing the internet for the difference between san, chan, and kun after having watched an anime series that was honorific intensive, Sword Art Online hit the nail on the head with the honorifics. I believe American writers get it wrong when writing cartoon scripts more often than Japanese cartoons created in Japan get it wrong.

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Mike — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 16:26:49 -0000

So -san can be used for older ones like you grandpa or someone who's older than you? And would it be no problem if I use -san for girls and -kun for boys?

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Misa — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:09:14 -0000

im confused>< i just watch Kaichou wa Maid sama. :D but im curious what sama is. also, why is misaki ayuzawa is called as misaki chan or misa chan? and i don't know, once, someone call usui as usui san, but his full name is usui takumi. i forgot what website is that, that i read that i can use (name of guy)-kun, because it is more sweet. and i was like "huh? why?"

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Domalon — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 21:36:20 -0000

This is a bloody brilliant app, I've started to use it so much especially with learning kanji :P

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

TZ rex — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 19:42:33 -0000

its confusing....... >_<"

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Yo — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 23:45:54 -0000

Sama should be used on people you work for or super super high class people like princesses bosses kings leaders

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

xBOEITJOUNIKS — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 17:16:18 -0000

They indeed give really wrong interpretations sometimes.

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

SSH — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 22:18:35 -0000

Thanks a lot! Your article saved me from using improper honorifics with an unknown person! :D
Here are some pictures to soothe your eyes as you've soothed/eased my mind! :)

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Ric Swoap — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:15:22 -0000

Koichi-san. Thank you for the explanation. I watch anime in Japanese with English subs and was getting confused with all the different honorifics. Wish I was smart enough to learn the whole language but with this knowledge I will be able to keep up at least. I hope.
I also have my towel and keep it safe.
Ric

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

DLareg93 — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:35:05 -0000

i see .. thanks a lot :)

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Ness Ciocco — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:08:44 -0000

Koichi-sama.... jk x3 <3

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

randomhappyreader — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:24:56 -0000

This helped me so much! i like how it explained not only what it means, but also how to use it and who to use it on. Thanks for the clarification koichi-san!

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

ANIMEMANGAKID ONETWOTHREE — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:05:37 -0000

In gumi's song the last revolver (saigo no ribobura, 最後のリボブラ[?]) first line she says "santa-san". is this right???

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

M Hatsune13 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:54:10 -0000

what do i use if i want to use Len for the name?san?sama?chan?or kun?

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Kisa-chan — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:07:34 -0000

Haha, I was thinking about that while I was grabbing a juice box. I was like, "Dang, I put four instaed of two..."

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

koichi — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:24:14 -0000

Perhaps you're thinking of 2 ?

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Kisa-chan — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:34:03 -0000

If you were writing your older brother, could you abbreviaye "nii-san" with 4-3? I've heard of using the number 3 instead of -san, but would it be completely wrong to use the number 4 for "nii"?

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Write2jes — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:21:30 -0000

Thanks,I read Anime and didn't want to get the wrong idea about the "name endings" so I looked into it right away and this really helped.Though I do like Anime "alot",also what is "koichi" looking at in that picture? Anyway, : ) ; p ,peace!!! & byyyyyyyyyyyyyye!!!

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Astrapi — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:06:05 -0000

#1: San
#2: Kun
#3: Kun
#4: Chan, because he's filled lots of children with joy, and I consider him one of my family members.

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

Mi-chan — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:55:44 -0000

So can you call your friends kun? or is it better to just stick with Chan? 'cause I've heard people call their friends (name)-kun

-Michan

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

koichi — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:57:39 -0000

For last names I wouldn't generally use ~chan anyways, so that solves the
chanchan problem! :)

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

S21magana — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:05:38 -0000

How would you address someone if their last name was Chan? It wouldn't be Chan-Chan would it? p.s my boyfriends last name is Chan that is why I ask.

Re: What’s the difference between San, Sama, Kun, & Chan?

koichi — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:08:21 -0000

"Sonikku" is just "Sonic" using Japanese kana sounds. as in:

ソニック
so-ni-kku

So, should be "Sonnikku-san" really, a combination of both examples ;)