Honorifics
The Japanese language features several honorifics, terms that are appended to people's names, to denote their status, often times in relation to the person who is referring to them. Unlike honorifics in the English language, Japanese honorifics do not always confer or display a superior level of respect, ie: -chan
-san: The most common Japanese honorific, used to denote respect and formality, essentially the same as "Mr," "Mrs" or "Miss." Used with a first name to denote familiarity.
-dono: Used as a term of respect. Inferior to' Sama' but superior to ' San'. Not frequently used in anime but beginning to emerge in newer series.
-sama: Denotes a large amount of respect for the person. Used for those with higher status such as respected teachers and lords. Also used by women to show a great amount of love and respect for their husbands or lovers.
-kun: Denotes familiarity and friendship when used to refer to male friends of the same age or younger. Can be exchanged with -san. Also used by to refer to younger or lower ranking women, often used in the workplace to refer to ones female employees.
-chan: Denotes familiarity and friendship and used to refer to someone who is the same age or younger. Generally used to refer to female friends, pets and children. Only used to refer to similarly aged males when refering to a boyfriend or lover.
-ko: Denotes familiarity with a femal friend, often used to refer to one's girlfriend.
-san: The most common Japanese honorific, used to denote respect and formality, essentially the same as "Mr," "Mrs" or "Miss." Used with a first name to denote familiarity.
-dono: Used as a term of respect. Inferior to' Sama' but superior to ' San'. Not frequently used in anime but beginning to emerge in newer series.
-sama: Denotes a large amount of respect for the person. Used for those with higher status such as respected teachers and lords. Also used by women to show a great amount of love and respect for their husbands or lovers.
-kun: Denotes familiarity and friendship when used to refer to male friends of the same age or younger. Can be exchanged with -san. Also used by to refer to younger or lower ranking women, often used in the workplace to refer to ones female employees.
-chan: Denotes familiarity and friendship and used to refer to someone who is the same age or younger. Generally used to refer to female friends, pets and children. Only used to refer to similarly aged males when refering to a boyfriend or lover.
-ko: Denotes familiarity with a femal friend, often used to refer to one's girlfriend.