Why do the Japanese do this?

[MJN SEIFER]

I've noticed in the Animes I watch and the Manga I read that the characters have a habbit of adding words after the name of of the person they are adressing, Words such as "Chan", "Kunt" () and "San".

Why?

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

The suffix -chan is a term of endearment, usually used amongst girls. The suffix -kun (not -kunt) is another affectionate term, usually used among friends, especially boys. The suffix -san is most closely equated with "Mr." or "Ms.".

Things you may also hear in manga and anime are -sama, which is for people of high rank like a lord or a king (or God, as the term Kami-sama implies). The suffix -dono is extremely respectful, and you rarely hear it outside of Rurouni Kenshin. It actually means "lord", in this case, but -sama is more often used in the case of a king.

If you have manga, you'll note that a lot of them, especially those published by Del Ray, have notes in the front or back of the book explaining this.

[MJN SEIFER]

Excelent. thank you.

It's something I've been wondering since I was a child.

[Fire_Emblem776]

Smile and be happy MJN SEIFER-kun ^_^

[Roto13]

Because it's part of their language. A better question would be "Why do American teenagers do it?"

[Madame Adequate]

Because it's part of their language. A better question would be "Why do American teenagers do it?"

Because it's part of their language. A better question still would be "Why do people get so pissy?"

[Shoeberto]

Because it's part of their language. A better question would be "Why do American teenagers do it?"

Because it's part of their language. A better question still would be "Why do people get so pissy?"

Same reason people get pissy when white suburban kids try to act ghetto. They're making asses out of themselves.

[Mirage]

What if black suburban kids do it? :(

[Roto13]

What if black suburban kids do it? :(

Silly Mirage. There are no black people in the suburbs.

[Meow]

I heard Mikey-kun is pure ballin', son.

[MJN SEIFER]

Because it's part of their language. A better question would be "Why do American teenagers do it?"

It's not just "American Teenagers" Plenty of Non-American Adults and Non-American Kids do it (Not to mention Non-American Teenagers)

[Roto13]

Because it's part of their language. A better question would be "Why do American teenagers do it?"

It's not just "American Teenagers" Plenty of Non-American Adults and Non-American Kids do it (Not to mention Non-American Teenagers)

Adults who actually act like adults don't do that. :P

But yeah, I probably should have said something like "non-Japanese teenagers", since asses know no borders.

[Nasarian Altimeros]

"Kunt"

I loled