𝚜𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝟷𝟶𝟷

𝐣𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐬 (𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐬) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.

I'm not sure if anyone else knows this, but I just wanted to point out a few things on Japanese honorifics.  You can skip this is you know the basic sama, senpai, sensei, san, chan, etc.

I.  Sama - Sama is an honorific used after a person's name (typically their last name) as a sign of great respect.  It's the equivalent of saying "****-madam" or "*****-sir". (Ex. "Aiko-sama" or "Nakamura-sama".

II.  San - Another honorific used after a person's last name.  It's close to the meaning of 'sama' but not exactly the same thing.  It's less formal, meaning something more like "Mr.*****" or "M(r)s.*****" (Ex. "Kishi-sama")

III.  Chan - This is something you would either say to a female/male child or to a female in general.  If you are not close to a male and call them "****-chan" it is considered rude.  If you are close friends, then it is acceptable as a joke.  With females and children, it is a honorific with a tone of endearment.  It's like saying "***** darling!"  (Ex.  "Kiyoko darling!")

IV.  Kun - Something you would use for a male.  It's like saying "chan" to a female, but for males and in a more masculine way.

V.  Sensei - This is a basic suffix, used for teachers in a school setting.  You would use it by saying "****-sensei".  (Ex. "Kokoro-sensei!")

VI.  Sishou - A suffix used when a student addresses a master/mentor.  This is a sign of great respect and should not be used loosely like it is in a decent amount of anime and manga.  It can be said like "****-sishou".  (Ex. "Yama-sishou")

VII.  Senpai - An honorific for an older/more experienced person in a work or school setting.  In a school setting you could use the honorific for a senior/upperclassmen.  In a work setting, you would use this to address a higher ranking official or simply someone older or more experienced.  There are also more western uses of the term, the game Yandere Simulator using it as a word of endearment and longing for her crush.  Use it by saying "*****-senpai." (Ex. "Tanaka-senpai")

. . . .

When used incorrectly, as shown in a sizable amount of anime and manga translations, it can be very damaging and disrespectful towards Japan, it's people, and Japanese culture in general.

As a Japanese person that has been ostracized and many times heard the misuse of the terms, it can be annoying, frustrating, and can hold great damage on my dignity as an American Asian.

Please properly use these suffixes and if possible, not use them at all unless in a situation that proves beneficial by using them, such as in Japan or possibly with a Japanese person.  Just simply use the words with caution and thought.

Thank you.

im baaaaaack ;)