Japanese Words

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Parts of the Body

- [blank] - Usually forgotten in these lists but perhaps the most significant difference between Japanese and English. The lack of an honorific means that the speaker has permission to address the person in a very intimate way. Usually only family, spouses or close friends have this kind of permission know as yobisute. But it can be insulting when that honor hasn't been earned.

-chan - Used between friends or with someone younger than you. Generally a very friendly suffix such as "Shippou-chan" as Kagome calls Shippou. Used between boyfriends and girlfriends.

-kun - Generally used for males, but can be used for females too. Someone who's close to you as a friend. Kagome calls Kouga "Kouga-kun" to show how she's friendly with him.

-san - Polite and formal. Used for someone at the same position as you or higher. You would use this with strangers if you didn't know them well. It basically means "Ms, Miss, Mr., or Mrs." Miroku calls Kagome "Kagome-san" out of respect.

-dono - Not frequently used in this anime, but in others, like Rurouni Kenshin. Indicates respect and is very polite. Sometimes used to say "sir" or "lord"

-sama - Very high respect. In itself it means God (kami-sama for those special people who dont get it) Used when speaking about gods or someone like an emperor or king. In this case, Kikyou is called "Kikyou-sama" by the villagers that she lived with.

-sensei - Originally means "born earlier than me". Usually used towards your master, teacher, or someone wise in the literature and art. You would call your school teacher by this suffix.

onee-chan/san/sama- what you would call your sister. Souta calls Kagome "Kagome onee-chan". Kaede calls Kikyou "Kikyou onee-sama".

onii-chan/san/sama - what you would call your brother. Souta calls Inuyasha Inu-no-oniichan or the "Dog-eared brother".

obaa-sama/ baa-chan - grandmother

jii-chan/san/sama - grandfather. Kagome calls her grandfather "Jii-chan"

jo - formal way of addressing girls of high standing, same as "miss".

joshi - formal way of addressing young women of high standing. same as "Ms.".

sempai/senpai - title suggests that the addresses in oneos senior in a group or organization. Most often used in a school setting, whre underclassmen refer to thier upperclassmean as "senpai" It can aslo be used in the workplace.

kohai - used toward underclassmen opp. of sempai.

O- adding an "O" in front of a term adds an extra level of respect.

Example: "Obaa-sama" - very formal address, however if you were to say "baa-chan", that would imply a friendly, casual relationship.'