Fourth Shooting Star - voice;

[risingwinds]

Hey, there's something I've been wondering for a while now. Some people here use words like "kun" and uh... "san" at the end of people's names, but what does it mean? Is it like saying mister or miss? It's something I never heard before I came here, not even in other worlds.

[Hmm. There's something else he's curious about, too. Prior to the draft

Comments

[gandrism]

Yeah, they're honorifics for politeness... At least most of the time.

I'm sure if I called someone I know Shirou-chan he would be bothered by that. Mostly because he's a man and chan is used mostly for girls who are younger than you or close friends that are female.

[risingwinds]

Well, that makes sense! It'd be like calling Aqua "Mr. Aqua," since she's a girl. So each of those... honorifics has to do with whether you're a boy or a girl and how close you are to 'em?

[gandrism]

Yeah, it's something like that. Also, most Japanese people call others by their last name if they aren't all that close.

[risingwinds]

Is that 'cause it's more formal?

[Voice]

[wanderer_jack]

[Finally, words the samurai found a great amount of solace in.]
I believe I can help in clearing up the confusion of those words. San is used as one would for saying mister or miss, but it can also be used for those of a certain workplace. For example, you would possibly call a grocer "grocer-san." Kun is more frequently used to refer to boys, one of senior rank referring to one of a lower status or rank, but might be used by young women for a man they have known for quite a long time.

Hmm, what are some others you might hear possibly? Hmm. Ahh! "Chan" is often a term used for children, but it can be a term of endearment towards a loved one or close friend. However, you should never use it for a superior's name, since that would be insulting and quite rude.

Another you are likely to hear is "Sama." This is like "san", but used to show respect for one of a higher rank than oneself or towards one you greatly admire. Does this help you?

[Voice]

[risingwinds]

[Ah, Jack! You're so informative. Ven takes a moment to listen to what Jack has to say before he responds.]

Thanks! That really does help a lot. I guess "sama" would be like calling my Master by his title, and the others make a lot more sense now.

[voice]

[infinitepath]

"Kun" is used for a boy that you are friends with, but don't know well enough to say their name without honorifics. It is the same way with adding "chan" to the name of a girl. "San" means mister or miss.

[voice]

[risingwinds]

Gotcha! That really clears things up, and I guess it's not too different from using titles.

[voice]

[infinitepath]

They are very similar to each other. It also is not that difficult to get used to.

[voice]

[risingwinds]

So what's your world like, anyway?

[voice]

[enduringwaters]

I'm sure he'll find a way. Just as long as you were good this year.

[voice]

[risingwinds]

Well, I've been trying my best to help!

[...eheheh.]

I just hope he won't mind that I ran away from home. I just wanted to keep up with Terra.

[voice]

[sly_little_fox]

Never heard people use those before where you come from? Fair enough since I ain't heard a' Santa before.

[voice]

[risingwinds]

Really? Well, Santa brings presents to people every year during Christmas as long as they've been good.

Re: [voice]

[sly_little_fox]

Sounds a lil' unbelievable, doncha think?

[voice]

[risingwinds]

I've seen weirder. In one of the worlds I visited, I shrunk down to the size of a mouse, and I've met all kinds of talking animals, even an alien!