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San, Sama, Kun, Chan

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Difeiwang2769
New in Town
Posts: 2
Joined: November 18th, 2011 6:39 am

San, Sama, Kun, Chan

Postby Difeiwang2769 » January 12th, 2012 5:00 pm

I know that first name-san is used for friends, students etc, and Chan is used for little children.

But what about Sama and Kun?

jameskgrankin8945
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Posts: 3
Joined: January 11th, 2012 11:07 pm

Postby jameskgrankin8945 » January 12th, 2012 6:21 pm

One of the books I'm reading at the moment says that -kun is used after a boys name. e.g Bob-kun, Yoshi-kun etc.

The suffix -chan, as you said is used after a child's name, but is also used commonly after a girl's name as well. E.G Danielle-chan, Kimiko-chan etc.
It doesn't have -sama in the book, but i think it's related to having a higher up? would need clarification.

Hope i helped a bit :)

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ericf
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Posts: 169
Joined: May 11th, 2008 8:01 am

Postby ericf » January 12th, 2012 9:24 pm

Yes, as James said, kun & chan are for boys and girls. Both are informal. San and sama are both formal with sama being used for people above you or for when your being more polite such as when addressing an envelope for example.

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