Current Events > Explain Japanese suffixes like 'san' please.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I am an American adult male so I assume name is Jason would be Jason-san? Also say a woman named idk Laura would be Laura - Chan? I see this a lot in animus over the years and now playing Yakuza has me wondering. Also what about the other terms like sensei is one of them, thanks.

Something about respect. Honorifics, etc.

10DimeBag10 posted...

Also what about the other terms like sensei is one of them, thanks.

sensei = teacher
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http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/JapaneseHonorifics
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San= toilet
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If you see someone using Japanese honorifics, they're either actually Japanese or a gigantic weeb.
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I figure a sensei is like a teacher or such in like a martial arts training or simply school, would you refer to your boss at work as a sensei?

It's a respectful way of addressing someone in Japanese, usually last name-san. There are other honorifics as well which are entirely dependent on social context between involved parties. Not using honorifics is considered disrespectful in Japanese culture.
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10DimeBag10 posted...

I figure a sensei is like a teacher or such in like a martial arts training or simply school, would you refer to your boss at work as a sensei?

Doctors are also called Sensei.

Also, asking this question is very offensive to us Japanesu.
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10DimeBag10 posted...

I figure a sensei is like a teacher or such in like a martial arts training or simply school, would you refer to your boss at work as a sensei?

From my knowledge, -san still applies to your boss. It's generally based on social standing. -sama is used for those significantly higher than one's station.
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I know a few of them and their vague uses but I might be wrong on a few.

-chan is used for girls or little kids.
-san I think is like "mister"
-sama is like "master" or "lord" or something like that.

I might have -san and -sama backwards though.
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NinjaWarrior455 posted...

It's a respectful way of addressing someone in Japanese, usually last name-san. There are other honorifics as well which are entirely dependent on social context between involved parties. Not using honorifics is considered disrespectful in Japanese culture.

Specifically, it implies a familiarity that hasn't been earned.
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10DimeBag10 posted...

I figure a sensei is like a teacher or such in like a martial arts training or simply school, would you refer to your boss at work as a sensei?

I think you'd just refer to your boss with a -san.

The23rdMagus posted...

NinjaWarrior455 posted...

It's a respectful way of addressing someone in Japanese, usually last name-san. There are other honorifics as well which are entirely dependent on social context between involved parties. Not using honorifics is considered disrespectful in Japanese culture.

Specifically, it implies a familiarity that hasn't been earned.

I have no idea what it means for my friend when his mother would sometimes refer to him with -kun and sometimes without any honorific.
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Their are Japanese honorifics similar to English honorifics of "Mr", "Mrs", or "Dr". Though Japanese honorifics are important then English ones.

K181 posted...

If you see someone using Japanese honorifics, they're either actually Japanese or a gigantic weeb.

i used to work for Japanese clothing retail UNIQLO and all the upper management did this training in Japan. they were all blonde, blue eyed white people and they would call each other with the-chan suffixes. it was disgusting.
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@10DimeBag10
Wikipedia explains the most common ones pretty accurately tbh.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics
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My goal is to one day attain the title of Sexy-sama
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@SerperiorThanU posted...

Practically no one uses sama in actual daily life. Sensei is specifically for teachers.

I don't think that's the case. (sama) is used in commercial and business settings all the time, it's very common to use it when referring to customers. It's also basically the default honorific when it comes to written and digital correspondence.

(sensei) is used for teachers, yes, but not just for them. It's also commonly used for doctors, politicians, lawyers and other authority figures.
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You should change your name to Samantha and make everyone call you Sama-sama.

I am wise.
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San= Mr. Or Mrs. Generally in formal occasions.

Sensei is obvious. Teacher.

Sama is akin to saying "Lord" or "My Lord." Usually used for things like the Emperor or God(Kami-Sama.)

Chan is a friendly informal honorific directed towards young women I believe. Kun is the same, just for men.

Dono is used like Sama, though it is a level below that.

Senpai is someone you admire I think?

Then you have Nii, Nee, Ji, Bo, To, Ko. Which are all familial honorifics if I recall correctly. (Brother, Sister, Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, Mother.)

I'm pretty sure there are some less used obscure ones i'm missing, but I believe those are the general honorifics.
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@Havik posted...

Sama is akin to saying "lord" or "My Lord." Usually used for things like the Emperor or God(Kami-Sama.)

Nope. The emperor and empress have their own exclusive honorific, (heika) which basically means "Your Majesty." As I said above, in post #18, (sama) is way more common than most people around here seem to think.
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Yeah sama is used a lot in customer service but you wouldn't really use it in a workplace or school setting.
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