Japanese honorifics

[mikeeozua]

In Japanese culture when people are called by the first name or surname is it because of the geographic location or just by preference? I was wondering this because in Naruto they call each other by their first name a lot but in other animes they call each other by their surnames.

For example:
In the anime/manga Bleach, Orihime commonly refers to Ichigo by 'Kurosaki-kun' and Uryu as 'Ishida-kun' which I believe is the equivalent of Sakura referring to Naruto as 'Uzumaki-kun' and Sasuke as 'Uchiha-kun'. Calling people by their surname is also used a lot in other Japanese shows that I have watched.

So is the difference in calling someone by the first name or Surname in Japanese culture determined by the Geographical location or just by preference? Sorry if this is a really obvious answer.

 

[Steven Segal]

I wonder what these definition means :

Kun ..
San ..
Chan ..
Sama ..


It little bit confusing me , do you have any idea ?

 

[Aotsuki Katsumi]

Mostly it is used with the thought of relationship between two people, such as senior in rank, age, class or whatever. Using the 'san' honorific is the same as when we say 'mister' or 'Mr' for short though they can use both given names and surnames in conjunction with that depending on how close they are to one another, though they are essentially free to use whatever honorific they want or discard them completely, like Sasuke pretty much has done. 'kun' is usually towards junior societal members or people that one holds close in some regard, like many japanese teachers referring to their students with 'kun' quite a bit. I believe 'chan' is used to talk to someone one holds quite dear in one manner or the other, though as Naruto showed it can also be used as a taunt that practice is somewhat uncommon.

Generally it´s preference and a cultural influence, as Japan has had and has not fully relinquished their collective idea of seniority. It´s a way of showing respect more than anything else I suppose, quite admirable to be honest.

'Sama' is also used to refer to those of significantly higher 'rank' than yourself, and in extreme cases can mean 'lord' or 'lady', but in many cases such as 'onee-sama' there´s no direct translation I know of other than the fact that the one speaking sees the other as a respectable older sister of sorts and the like.

 

[BazzBee]

I wonder what these definition means :

Kun ..
San ..
Chan ..
Sama ..


It little bit confusing me , do you have any idea ?

Sama=Lord/Master

 

[Super7]

Aotsuki Katsumi pretty much nailed it with that post, although the OP could have just googled it

 

[Punk Hazard]

I wonder what these definition means :

Kun ..
San ..
Chan ..
Sama ..


It little bit confusing me , do you have any idea ?

They don't really have...meanings. They're like the English equivalent of saying sir or ma'am. Kun and Chan is usually used when it's someone you are friends with, but it's deeper than just friendship, kun being for males and chan for females. San and sama are examples of ones used for respect, like when speaking to someone older or strong or whatever.

 

[BlacLord™]

I wonder what these definition means :

Kun ..
San ..
Chan ..
Sama ..


It little bit confusing me , do you have any idea ?

All those are used as a sign of respect.

Kun - used with someone of similar or lesser seniority.
San - usually used with someone you don't know well or someone with somewhat more seniority.
Chan - Quite a cutesy honorific normally used with someone a lot younger.
Sama - Lord/Master, very high in seniority and when referring to God (Kami Sama).

 

[Blitz3d]

-kun (familiar/comfortable around a person, used mainly for males)

-San (used when calling someone by their last name, also a sign if respect)

-chan (a term used when talking to girls, if close or friends with them)

-sama (usually means master)

 

[DocThao]

it's more of a preference

when your comfortable around someone, then you use their first names

it's kinda like not calling your boss sir or Mr. Jones and calling him Mike instead

as for the honorifics

kun - used for boys (you don't have to be close to them to use it)
chan - used for girls and little kids
san - Japanese version of Mr/Miss/Mrs
sama - used for someone you respect as an authority figure
dono - used for someone you respect as a warrior
senpai - used for some that is senior to you (Yamato calls Kakashi senpai b/c he's Yamato's senior in ANBU)
kouhai - used for someone your junior
sensei - used for your teacher or a doctor

 

[Katachi]

Yep. A big difference. Basically, Calling someone by their surname is considered 'polite'. Calling someone by their name is for friends...and lastly there are the nicknames, used by very close friends, usually girls.

Here is a list of honorifics, in order of 'ranking', I guess.

- Sama, Used for people well above your social status.
-Dono, males with a very high 'ranking'. This could range from a famous actor's child to a prince.
-Sensei, Teachers.
-Senpai, People who are older than you, basically. The only place you would use this honorific would most likely be school or your job...or a club, I suppose?
-San, acquaintances, strangers, (if you want to be polite)
-Kun, Kohai , Teenage Boys, Boys, Lower class men (Kohai)
-Chan, Teenage girls, Girls, Children, Babies
-Bo(zu) (you don't hear this one a lot. ) Babies, Children

 

[KGB Kakuzu]

I wonder what these definition means :

Kun ..
San ..
Chan ..
Sama ..


It little bit confusing me , do you have any idea ?

Kun: title addresses to friends

Chan: title displaying endearment/affection...can be used sarcastically (Izaya)

San: basically the equivalent of Mr./Mrs... A proper greeting for people.

Sama: Lord/mistress....to honor someone of status.



OT: from what I can tell, typically it is cordial to address people by their last names; however, if one were to get closer to another person, he or she may ask or be allowed to use their first name.


That's what I've picked up....a really good example would be Baka to test where some people address one person with a first name while others use a last name.