klmama Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I understood that "chan" at the end of a name indicated that the person was a child and that "san" was for adults, but I just came across something about a young adult whose name ended in "chan." Is there a particular age that it changes? Also, what is the meaning of "kun" as a suffix? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Chan is a diminuative for a girl. But I have close friends who still add "chan" to my name despite me being in my 50's because of our close friendship. So it can be age related but also relationship related. Kun is a diminuative for a boy. Again, close relationship can mean that this is used even as an adult. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Thank you, Jean! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Jean of course has this exactly correct, but I'd add that -chan is IME also often used in a kind of cutesy, affectionate way, especially among young people. Children also often use it for their older relatives -- e.g., obaachan for grandma (instead of obaasan). And it's frequently used for pets. Jean, correct me if I'm wrong on this, but -kun doesn't seem to me to have quite the same 'cute' connotation, and can in some contexts have more of a hierarchical meaning. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Yes, you're right. There can also be a fraternal type of feeling to -kun, so co-workers who are at the same level can use it in a business setting- but probably more for the 20-somethings than those who are older. (Not totally sure about this. I was in my early 20's when I worked there so everyone older was definitely -san to me. I don't know what the older people called each other when they weren't around us peons.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Jean of course has this exactly correct, but I'd add that -chan is IME also often used in a kind of cutesy, affectionate way, especially among young people. Our Japanese exchange students have told us that their mothers and friends will often add -chan to their name as an endearment. One girl (a little homesick, I think) got a little teary when I wrote her breakfast note to "Marino-chan." :001_wub: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I seem to remember chan being used for little boys at times as well, but maybe that was regional? Or I am mis-remembering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I seem to remember chan being used for little boys at times as well, but maybe that was regional? Or I am mis-remembering? It can be used for really little boys. Before they want to be big boys and use -kun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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