Nominal suffixes in Japanese: how to use?

Basically, the Japanese use first and last names with nominal suffixes. There are some exceptions here, but more on that later.

In general, the topic of nominal suffixes is huge and there are a lot of nuances that are better to learn in life, rather than in theory. However, in this article I will try to theoretically break down some points and bring a little clarity to this topic.

We won’t go into everything, we’ll go over the top so as not to drag out the article.

Let's start with the most popular nominal suffixes: san, kun and chan .

Suffix "San"

For example, Yamada-san. The suffix “San” is a neutral polite style. It can be compared to some extent with a conversation on “you” .

That is, in essence, the suffix “ San ” is used by juniors in relation to elders; when speaking on equal terms, in official address, whether it is a stranger or a work colleague, they usually use “ San ”.

However, it is worth clarifying here that when using “ San ”, this may not always mean official communication. But let's hold that and move on to the " Tian " suffix.

4. oyaji / 親父 / おやじ

"Oyaji" is truly two vocabulary words in one . Written with the kanji characters for "parent" (親) and "father" (父), it not only means dad but is also a general term for a middle-aged or elderly man .

"Oyaji" is the rudest term on our list, but when said in a warm enough voice, it can also exude a certain masculine cheerfulness and is almost exclusively used by men.

"Oyaji" can be written in Kanji or Hiragana (less formal form). And yes, you may have also heard oyaji as part of the phrase “ero oyaji” (“dirty old man”).

Suffix "Tian"

I see errors quite often with this suffix. Most beginners and some textbooks believe that the suffix “Kun” is used in relation to boys, and “chan” is used in relation to girls. Of course this is not true. I honestly admit, I don’t know where it came from, maybe it was like this once or it’s a usage error, I don’t know what I don’t know.

However, if we talk about the Japanese language at the present time, then “ Tian ” in real life is similar to our diminutive suffix . That is, when you say, for example, Yoko- chan - you essentially say Yokochka , or to make it easier in Russian you say Masha - Mashenka . It is used in much the same way as in Russian, that is, in informal speech, and it is a gross misconception to think that “Tyan” is used exclusively for girls, although for some reason many people think so.

So, for example, you can hear when a girl calls a guy Akira- chan and this does not mean that Akira has become a girl.

This is just a diminutive of Akirochka. Or if grandfather is called “Oji-chan”, this will not make him a woman.

But there is one “BUT” : of course, a guy won’t call a guy with the suffix “chan”, because...
it will really be strange, although there are such cases. Well, our two guys don’t talk in a diminutive style among themselves.

6. chichiue / 父上

At first glance, " chichiue " looks like it shouldn't be much different from "chichi" . After all, it is the same kanji for "dad" as chichi (父) plus (上), which means "up" or "above" written at the end. So, that's just a polite way of saying father, right?

Legendary samurai warriors. "Bushi" (武士)

Of course... if you happen to be a samurai. " Chichiue " is a very old-fashioned word, similar to the expression "exalted father".

Suffix "Kun"

" Kun " is less formal and a little more "friendly". It is also a mistake to believe that Kun is used exclusively for men. Yes, in practice, it mostly turns out this way, but it is not 100% always the case. Those. It’s fair to use “ Kun” to refer to a girl, too, if you don’t want to substitute the suffix “ Tian ,” i.e. when the diminutive form is not entirely appropriate. Kun being used for girls .

Those. If you show graphically the rank of politeness, then you can place Kun San ”, but above “ Tian ”.

And these 3 suffixes should be enough for the first couple of years of study. And then come the following suffixes.

LiveInternetLiveInternet

Hideaki Kobayashi is a kawaii grandfather from Japan who is extremely popular among his younger compatriots. The elderly Japanese man gained such fame thanks to his unusual hobby.

As you know, in the Land of the Rising Sun there is a whole cult of school uniforms (seifuku). Many young (and not so young) representatives of the fair sex are happy to put on a sailor suit. However, school uniforms are popular not only among young ladies - one elderly man decided to challenge society and turn fashion trends on their head. As you might have already guessed, this man’s name is Hideaki Kobayashi and he became famous for wearing a female school uniform, not embarrassed to appear in such a very unusual look for his age on busy streets.

For many years, Hideaki Kobayashi, who by the way is one of the most experienced photographers in Japan working in the field of cosplay photography, has attended various events dedicated to characters from anime, video games, films and manga. All the events he attended had one thing in common - their participants dressed in the costumes of their favorite heroes.

The appearance of a mannered pensioner in blue knee socks on slender legs, by the way, barely covered by a pleated school skirt, in public every time brings residents of the Land of the Rising Sun into unbridled delight.

And after Hideaki Kobayashi posted his photos on popular social networks, he won the hearts of numerous Internet users. In a conversation with a media representative, the charming Japanese grandfather boasted that a huge number of girls are literally besieging his personal Facebook page, begging to take pictures with them.

“And yet, why did a person at such a respectable age need to dress up in a schoolgirl costume and wander around the city with a wide smile on his face? Did he lack attention, or did he have some kind of sexual deviation, or maybe he simply went crazy? — the journalist puzzled the bearded “schoolgirl” with such questions. "Hm. You know, these are actually really difficult questions. I haven't thought about it that deeply. Perhaps I do this simply because a sailor suit looks good on me, because girls simply go crazy about my legs. Although I must admit that this shape does not suit the abundant hair on my face. Most likely, I just want to give society an element of surprise and revive our country,” this is how the amusing “old man in a sailor suit” (nickname of Hideaki Kobayashi) explained the reasons for his behavior to a media representative.

Well, judging by the strong reaction of the Japanese public to his unusual style, the elderly man is doing an excellent job with his important mission so far.

He even managed to become a living landmark in Tokyo.

Suffix "Herself"

The suffix “Sama” has the highest position in our hierarchy.

It’s hard to translate literally, but essentially as “honorable.” It is quite rare in spoken Japanese, but it does occur. For example, this is how the service staff may address you when they ask 何名様ですか “Nan mei sama deska” - “table for how many people”? Not San, but herself. Or when you are waiting and they read you from the list, for example: 山田様はいらっしゃいますか “Yamada-sama wa irasshaimaska?” That is, we often use the nominal suffix “Sama” in the conversation of service personnel.

Just like with us, Sama can be used as a joke, this is comparable when we say “Sorry, sir” or something similar, when we deliberately raise a person’s rank as a joke.

If we are not talking about colloquial language, then “sama” is used quite often. For example, in letters to the recipient they use Sama.

oton/おとん

As we move down the list we also move further into the countryside. For people from Tokyo and eastern Japan, "oton" is clearly a country tune, something like "tato" in farmhouse.

But "oton" isn't just for Seluks, and as you head west from Tokyo you'll start to hear it used by people speaking the Kansai dialect common in and around Osaka. However, "oton" always carries a bit of a rustic feel, and while some might say it's just backwoods charm, it would probably earn a few chuckles if you said it in a formal situation.

Suffix "Sensei"

Sensei, literally “born before” - this is both a word and a nominal suffix, can be used with a name in those cases when you are addressing a teacher, professor and everyone who is in the subject of education, as well as when addressing a doctor, lawyer, politician , scientist, etc. Those. we can characterize this as certain socially important social figures. Rather, “Sensei” denotes a certain status rather than your attitude towards a person.

In my opinion, the main part of the suffixes is over, now comes the part for the most inquisitive minds who want to know more.

Personal pronouns

In addition to nominal suffixes, Japan also uses many different ways of addressing each other and referring to themselves using personal pronouns

. The choice of pronoun is determined by the social laws already mentioned above. The following is a list of some of these pronouns.

Group with the meaning "I"

Watashi

- Polite option. Recommended for use by foreigners. Typically used by men. Infrequently used in colloquial speech, as it carries a connotation of "high style".

Atashi

- Polite option. Recommended for use by foreigners. Typically used by women. Or gays. ^_^ Not used when communicating with high-ranking individuals.

Watakushi

- A very polite female option.

Washi

- Outdated polite option. Doesn't depend on gender.

Wai

— Kansai equivalent of
“washi”
.

Boku

— Familiar youth male version. Rarely used by women, in this case “unfemininity” is emphasized. Used in poetry.

Ore

- Not a very polite option. Purely masculine. Like, cool. ^_^

Ore-sama

- “Great I.” A rare form, an extreme degree of boasting.

Daiko or Naiko (Daikou/Naikou)

- Similar to
“ore-sama”
, but somewhat less boastful.

Sessha

- Very polite form. Typically used by samurai when addressing their masters.

Hishou

- “Insignificant.” A very polite form, now practically not used.

Gusei

- Similar to
“hisho”
, but somewhat less derogatory.

Oira

- Polite form. Typically used by monks.

Tin (Chin)

- A special form that only the emperor has the right to use.

Ware

— Polite (formal) form, translated as “[I/you/he] myself.”
Used when the importance of “I” needs to be particularly expressed. Let's say in spells (“I conjure”). In modern Japanese it is rarely used to mean "I". It is more often used to form a reflexive form, for example - “forgetting about yourself” - “vare in vasurete”
.

[Speaker's name or position]

— Used by children or when communicating with them, usually in the family. Let's say a girl named Atsuko might say "Atsuko is thirsty." Or her older brother, addressing her, may say, “Brother will bring you juice.” There is an element of “lisping” in this, but such treatment is quite acceptable.

Group meaning “We”

Watashi-tachi

- Polite option.

Ware-ware

— A very polite, formal option.

Bokura

- Impolite option.

Touhou

- The usual option.

Suffix "Senpai"

“Senpai” is someone who is “senior” in a particular area. For example, for a 1st grade high school student, the senpai will be a 2nd grade high school student, and for a 2nd grade high school student, the 1st grade student will be Kohai.

We can say that they represent both simple words and nominal suffixes, just like Sensei. Those. they can also be used with names, such as Tanaka-senpai. Or you have been working for the company for 2 years, and another person has been working for 5 years. Who do you think he is for you? Right! Senpai! And for him you are Kohai.

To avoid confusion between Senpai and Kohai, use literal translation and mnemonics. Senpai is “comrade in front”, Kohai is “comrade behind”, and in the distance stands Sensei – “born before”.

Those. We imagine a graph where you stand and in the distance stands the Sensei who was born before you, the kanji Sen just hints that they came before you. Also, ahead of you is Senpai. And Kohai is behind you, as indicated by the kanji “after”.

7. chichioya / 父親

And finally, we got to “ chichioya ”. Written in reverse kanji for "oyaji" , putting "father" first and "parent" second. "With hichioya " is a useful term for fathers in a general or public sense, perhaps in an advertisement or written statement. Usually, although it is not often used in conversation, to talk about a certain person's father, the main thing is not about your own.

Thanks for reading, and all the best to you and your father, whatever you call him.

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Suffix "Senshu"

"Senshu" is not only the word for "athlete", but it is also a suffix used for famous athletes.

PS You expected that there would be more nominal suffixes here, but I thought about it and realized that there is nothing more to talk about, so if I remember something, I will definitely update the article.

Now let's talk about when suffixes are not used , because this also happens.

Suffixes do not need to be used in relation to family members when, for example, you are talking to someone.

Also, there is no particular need to use a suffix when addressing by name, because Usually in Japan this indicates a fairly close relationship to the person, so why the suffix? Those. when the relationship with a person is close enough, suffixes are not needed. On the other hand, there are so many nuances that even within the family circle they can use nominal suffixes by name.

3.papa/パパ

Yes, dad . As in Russian and many other European languages, papa is now easily understood in Japanese . It does, however, have a very childish sound to it, which is why most children, especially boys , become self-conscious about it when they leave primary school . Some women continue to use it into adulthood, but even then, it is mainly when talking directly to their father or other family members, rather than in conversations with other people, to avoid being seen as daddy's girls.

What messages do Japanese youth use?

Japanese minors usually call each other simply by their first names. In slang, Japanese youth most often use the suffixes -chan (-chan) and -kun when communicating with each other. Also, teenagers in conversations with each other can add to the interlocutor’s surname:

• -aniki - a respectful and at the same time familiar address (in Russian, an analogue of the word “bro”);
• -senpai – senior comrade:
• -kohai – junior comrade.

Teachers in schools address male students by adding -kun, and female students by adding -chan (-chan).

Senpai (literally “comrade standing in front”) is used to designate an older colleague - at school, sports club, university. According to the unwritten rules of Japanese society, a kohai (that is, “a comrade standing behind”) must respect the sempai and fulfill his demands or instructions. In return, the senior comrade looks after the kohai and is responsible for his actions and actions to his superiors. In the Russian version, such relationships can be classified as “hazing.”

Addressing other people by status

The Japanese use a set of nominal suffixes to communicate with each other. They are added to last names or first names, nicknames or professions, and to other words that characterize the interlocutor.

In everyday speech, the Japanese call the interlocutor by last name, adding the appropriate suffix. Only within the family or circle of close friends can people be addressed by their first names.

Using surnames without a suffix when communicating is a sign of familiarity and rudeness of the speaker.

How the Japanese address different interlocutors

In Japan, the interlocutor is assessed not as an individual person, but as a person with a certain social position. Therefore, the Japanese address a person taking into account the kinship system, his position or status.