When should -san, -chan, or -kun be used to address people? What other address terms are there, and how are they used?
Thanks.
Add -san to the name (either family name or given name) of anyone you meet that you are not very close to. It is roughly equivalent to Mr, but is unisex. -chan is only for children or somebody you feel affectionate towards. -kun is for boys.
Traditionally, it’s only been used for guys (Especially for students/subordinants), but people are starting to use it for girls of the same ages. (-chan for primary and junior high school, -kun beyond.)
Also -sama is used like -san but in situations where great respect is called for. Tengu, that’s very interesting about -kun for girls!
sama-great respect, such as royalty or god(s)
san-equivalent to Mr., Mrs.
kun-Used for the younger
chan-can be used for the young, but I call people I know and love by this addition. (Erin-chan, Paul-chan, Ry-chan, Stefi-chan). Ryan’s older than me, and Paul and Erin are younger.
ko-used to denominate a girl (girl’s name?)
oneesan-older sister?
sempai-upperclassman