For a non-Japanese like myself, Japanese honorifics/titles take some time of getting used to. For Japanese, they automatically know how to address people even during their first meeting. (That goes without saying.) From my perspective, these name suffixes show what kind of relationship or the degree of closeness people have. Being a polite culture Japan is, they rarely call people only by their names (except on special instances).
-san (-さん）
> This is the default suffix that we use to address people older, younger or same age as you both for men and women. You'll never get wrong using this.
e.g. Takahashi-san or Keiko-san
onii-san or onee-san
oka-san or oto-san
> Japanese would say this is the equivalent of Ms. and Mr. (But I don't think so. Can you imagine calling someone forever as Ms.?)
-chan (ーちゃん）
> Instead of using -san, use -chan for kids or to people younger than you. Using this to people who are the same age or older (rarely) than you means you have a close relationship with them.
e.g. Taka-chan or Keiko-chan
onii-chan or onee-chan
oka-chan or oto-chan
-kun (ーくん）
> Generally used for men who are younger or same age as you. Can also be used for boys and very rarely to girls/women. This also shows a certain degree of closeness.
e.g. Takahashi-kun
Hiro-kun
-sama (ーさま）
> Used to show the highest form of respect also the most formal
e.g. goshujin-sama (master/husband)
danna-sama (husband/master)
okyaku-sama (client/patron)
> Even though this is the most formal, Japanese don't normally use this in the office setting. Like the examples above, this is used in shops or in houses (their butlers calling their masters or wife calling their husband).
-chama (ーちゃま）
> Instead of -sama, use -chama for kids; rarely used
e.g. bocchama (instead of bou-chama; young master)
Misaki-bocchama (Young Master Misaki)
-chin (ーちん)
> Used for boys and girls but not commonly used (as how I've observed it)
e.g. Tamu-chin
Yano-chin
Remember that these are suffixes and should be used after a name. If a Japanese told you to just call him/her by his/her first name (no need to use any suffixes), it means s/he considers you a very good friend.
Texts in green are my side comments. ^^,
Texts in red are the suffixes in hiragana.
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Jpop vs. Kpop
Kpop -- songs, fashion, and style in general are very western; moves are very calculated much like a robot
Jpop -- in general, they have their unique style which is very Japanese; dances are expressive and never perfect but we see humanity and individuality in the imperfection.
To appreciate Jpop, you have to scrap all your predisposition on what is cool and what is not.
I love Jpop and Kpop.
Jpop -- in general, they have their unique style which is very Japanese; dances are expressive and never perfect but we see humanity and individuality in the imperfection.
To appreciate Jpop, you have to scrap all your predisposition on what is cool and what is not.
I love Jpop and Kpop.
Summer time!
Well not here, but in Japan it is! I've been checking a live camera of the Nishima beach in Kanagawa Prefecture and today it really looks like summer has come! With the sun shining brightly and the blue sky on the background, so many people have started crowding the beach. Some enjoy bathing in the sun while others are surfing. Somehow I feel like I'm invading their privacy because I really can see what they're doing..
Oh well, it just makes me feel good just seeing the sea! Especially during summer. いいね！
Oh well, it just makes me feel good just seeing the sea! Especially during summer. いいね！
Japan: The Strange Country by Kenichi (Vimeo)
First seen on vimeo.com created by Kenichi (see http://vimeo.com/kenichi) -- a Japanese describing his country strange. But before people becomes outraged by watching this, take note of what he said at the end part, "Who created this strange country? You did." Simply put, Japan is strange in a perspective of a foreigner. It's just logical to say something is out of the ordinary if it's different from your own culture. But that's somehow like being ethnocentric.
I always say this, Japan really is a strange country but in always a good way. When I say strange, it's unique and full of contrasts. Of course not having been to Japan (yet), I'm saying it based on my various exposures to the Japanese culture -- dominantly through the power of media.
Kenichi purposely created this video from the point of view of a non-Japanese (just an opinion) but strangely enough, some Japanese do agree to what the title says that Japan is strange indeed.
Kamenashi so Gay
Kamenashi, you give me the creeps when you dance like this! But I still think you're adorable and a real entertainer. While watching this I was almost shock when you were half-naked (maybe because all along you sexy-danced like a woman).But you really looked so damn manly with the samurai, the sweaty-look and your lipstick-stained cheeks! Kamenashi is so gay and I love it!
Faraway by KAT-TUN
I loved this song the first time I heard it. It's a little sad, this song I mean. And it feels weird but it seemed like this has been the song of my life. My life has always been like this. Loving someone so faraway.(literally? figuratively?) and just simply hoping tomorrow will be a better day.
Ebi Fry
It was December 31, 2011. I volunteered to cook something for the media noche and I instantly thought of cooking tempura! I think it was easier than I thought. The hard part was the preparation of the shrimps especially getting off the shells and the deveining. Imagine cooking hundreds of tempura! *shivers* The rest was a breeze. I just had to be a little fast in coating each piece of the shrimp and then deep-frying it. I can't say it was perfect because I didn't get the golden color that I saw on the video recipe but the taste was just like any other tempura that I tried. My brother even said it tasted like tempura from the restaurants. *blush!blush!* It was worth spending a hot time in the kitchen! It was fun!
I know Kyouhei (Takano) loves ebi fry but I didn't purposely cook this for him. *giggles* But I wish Kamenashi, ah I mean Kyouhei will love this when he sees this! *blush*
Why January 1 is Perfect!
Okay. So I was wrong. Turns out I'll be happy for the first day of the year (010111). Though I can't say it's a good sign that 2011 will be my year, not really. I'm not the type who asks and believes in signs cos for me everyday is a new day. So, why is January 1 is superb?
But honestly, just having the chance to talk to him again really made my day! Ah, talking about the power of communication. It was just perfect. I don't want to hope but I think unconsciously I'm hoping 2011 will not just be a good, normal year for me but a year that will overshadow 2010 (I graduated, got my first job and got my license). I don't want to hope but I think unconsciously I'm hoping 2011 will be the year I'll grow holistically (HINT: ai). Gosh, it's something out of my hands.
To 2011, please be great to me! Onegaishimasu!
- I woke up 11am. I had a very deep and long sleep.
- I literally stayed on my bed until 5pm (with a few bathroom and water breaks).
- I missed breakfast and lunch! I know it's wrong but it meant fewer calories to burn.
- I talked to my favorite Japanese friend for a long time and told me today was not the last day for us to talk!
- Someone played guitar and sang to me 3 times! Twice "I Wanna See You" by Abe Mao and "Imagine" of John Lennon. Well, the playing and the saying were not really FOR me. Someone just played and sang to me. Honestly, the whole time while listening I was smiling and my head was swinging side to side. I don't know, my body just reacted that way with the song "I wanna see you". But yeah, I was genuinely happy listening!
- I saw snow in Japan real time! I mean yeah I see snow in movies and tv programs and all but it felt different because I saw it as it was happening. At first I thought it was just raining because the road was wet (almost deserted) and I really didn't see anything falling from the grey skies. After opening the window (after hearing the noise of a table being dragged closer the window?) I finally saw minute of white stuff falling from the skies! (that I assume quickly melts on the ground hence the wet road) Sigh! I was genuinely excited and happy seeing it! (crazy right?) He got so cold and everything just so I can see the snow. *smiles* Arigatougozaimashita!
But honestly, just having the chance to talk to him again really made my day! Ah, talking about the power of communication. It was just perfect. I don't want to hope but I think unconsciously I'm hoping 2011 will not just be a good, normal year for me but a year that will overshadow 2010 (I graduated, got my first job and got my license). I don't want to hope but I think unconsciously I'm hoping 2011 will be the year I'll grow holistically (HINT: ai). Gosh, it's something out of my hands.
To 2011, please be great to me! Onegaishimasu!
Change Ur World by KAT-TUN
KAT-TUN gave me another reason to love them!*eyes turned into hearts* Nakamaru is getting more handsome one video after another while Ueda seemed like he's loving the cropped pants with boots(?) outfit (remember what he was wearing in Love yourself, Going, N.M.P and now this) And I honestly thought Koki was Jun because they had the similar hairstyle and even jawline. Haha. Again, Kamenashi stood out a little bit because he's almost always at the center BUT I think all of the members had their fair share of the spotlight. And I'm thinking Jin leaving the group gave all of them equal chances of longer lyric lines and even airtime in their videos. Now this video goes to my psp.
No one can define Accuracy better than the Japanese
One word: SUGOI!!! This proves how dedicated and disciplined Japanese can get! One of the coolest videos EVER.
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