Thanks to accurate subtitles and talented translators, anime (along with many other kinds of media) can be properly enjoyed all over the world by those that don’t speak or read other languages. While many Japanese idioms, words, or sayings may be translated for the ease of the viewer though, there are some specific suffixes and prefixes that areintentionally left in the subtitles.RELATED:Great Anime That Take A Long Time To Get GoodRespect and ranking are very important in Japanese culture. To allow Japanese speakers to express their level of respect when interacting with others, they have integrated asystem of honorifics, calledKeigo. Keigo roughly translates into “respectful language” and can be adjusted when addressing people according to their age, gender, social rank, and overall familiarity.
8(Name) - Chan
“Chan” is an informal suffix added to the end of a name. “Chan” is typically only used towards people one is close with and is usually associated with amore feminine or child-like connotation. However, it can still be used towards children, babies, or animals (like pets) of any gender.
It’s been said that “Chan” originated from young children mispronouncing “san” and eventually became its very own honorific! This particular suffix isn’t very work-appropriate and is best saved for less formal situations when addressing close friends, romantic partners, or older relatives.
7(Name) - Kun
“Kun” is a suffix added at the end of a name and is one of the most frequently heard honorifics in anime. “Kun” is more commonly used amongyounger people and their good friends. While “Kun” is still more formal than “Chan”, it is still on the less formal end of Japanese honorifics overall.
While “Kun” can be applied to any gender, it is most commonly used to address males as opposed to females. That said, in a work environment, it is typical for any higher-ranking employees to refer to any juniors with the suffix “Kun” regardless of their gender.
6(Name) - San
“San” is a rather polite honorific but isn’t over-the-top formal. “San” is a very broad and versatile term and can be used in many different situations for a wide group of people. “San” is a general term that can be used when addressing people that one isn’t familiar with, disregarding age or status.
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The English equivalent of “San” would be “Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs.” and it can be used in a gender-neutral way. This particular honorific is a means to show respect and distance and to show that the two parties lack asense of familiarity, not out of awkwardness but more so out of respect.
5(Name) - Sama
“Sama” is one of the less common everyday Japanese honorifics, but is heard in anime every so often. “Sama” is a polite and formal suffix added at the end of the name of a person that is a much higher ranking than oneself. It shows a great level of respect and has its own modern-day andmore historic uses.
In modern-day, it is often used by store owners or businesses when referring to customers. Meanwhile, in its more historic usage, “Sama” is often used when referring to ancient or divine deities or entities, as well as the emperor and his family.
4Oniichan / Oniisan
“Oniichan” and “Oniisan” are bothtranslations of “older brother,“but with slightly different usages. There are many different ways to address one’s older brother or older brother figure (such as “niisan” or “aniki”) but these two are some of the most commonly heard. “Oniichan/Oniisan” aren’t truly honorifics that stand on their own (like “Kun” or “Chan”) but are commonly heard in anime and are usually left in translated subtitles.
Simply put, “Oniichan” is usually used by younger children, to refer to older brothers with whom they are close. “Oniisan,” on the other hand, is commonly used by siblings at an older age or when referring to a friend’s older brother in a more polite way.
3Oneechan / Oneesan
“Oneechan” and “Oneesan” are the female equivalents of “Oniichan/Oniisan”. “Oneechan/Oneesan” is used to refer to one’solder sister or older sister figure. Much like “Oniichan/Oniisan”, “Oneechan/Oneesan” is not a true honorific, as it is simply a title that can be used on its own or attached to the end of a name like a suffix.
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“Oneechan” is much like its male counterpart in that it is typically used by younger children to refer to their older sisters, with “Oneesan” being a bit more formal/polite and used by older siblings or to address a friend’s older sister.
2(Name) - Sensei
“Sensei” is yet another title that can stand on its own and isn’t a true honorific in that it doesn’t only exist as a prefix or suffix in the Japanese language.“Sensei” is simply a title, meaning “teacher"but is still often left in English subtitles, leaving room for some new anime fans to still be a bit confused about its meaning.
“Sensei” is typically used in classrooms when referring to a teacher. While many younger children in the west may call their teacher “Mr./Ms.” followed by their surname, Japanese students will simply add “Sensei” to their teacher’s surname out of respect for their title and authority. It is fairly similar to how college students will refer to a professor by their title and surname, instead of the slightly less formal “Mr.” or Ms.”.
1Senpai
“Senpai” is another title that can stand on its own and does not necessarily need to be attached to a name, but is still commonly heard as a suffix after a character’s name to show respect. “Senpai” doesn’t have an exact English translation, but is usually used by characters who are still in school when referring to someone in a grade higher than them.
“Senpai” can be thought of as “upperclassmen” and is used to refer to someone that has more experience or is in a clearsocial or academic rank higherthan one’s own. The title of “Senpai” is not only restricted to being used in an academic setting either. It can also be used more generally, like in the workplace.
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