On Mon, 10 Feb 1997 MDump@aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 97-02-10 21:46:40 EST, you write:

"-kun" has connotations of male, but other than that, I'm not sure.  And
 while we're at it, what does "-sama" mean
 ?

I *think* that adding -sama to someones name is like you have a HIGH regard
for them.  I'm not to positive on that one.  My Japanese-Engish dictionary
won't even toutch that one.  Says to see -san.  I guess it's like saying Mr.
or Mrs.  although i think there is something extra in the meaning.

You'll have to get a Japanese speaker to give you the situation that -sama
would be used in.  That or just get the general meaning from Ranma 1/2 when
Tasuba or Kodachi use it.  I know i probably spelt a name or two wrong so
don't kill me for it.

Well, I am by no means an expert, but here is my understanding of the
common honorifics.

Avoid '-sama' when using second person pronouns. 'Kimi-sama', or even
worse, 'kisama', might get you slugged. On second thought, avoid it about
all the time unless you hear someone else use it respectfully for someone
in particular first. You should probably avoid second person pronouns,
too.

-chan comes out as something like 'little' or 'cute'. It would only be
used for children and *maybe* for a younger woman you were on *very* close
terms with in an informal situation who was a member of your 'in group'. 
There seem to be some family usages as well.  Don't go there unless
invited. 

-kun is used for people who are junior or equal in social relationship and
are members of your 'in group'. Usually (but not always) used for
males. Never use use it to a social superior, someone outside your 'in
group'. Denotes a social relationship with boundaries I am not clear on.
IOW: Be careful. You may (probably are) asserting a social relationship
you (I) don't understand.

-senpai is a *specific* social relationship between a senior individual
and the junior individual in their 'in group' - usually work or school) 
involving social obligations. Perhaps 'mentor' or 'senior' would describe
it. Unclear boundaries. 

-san is a general safe honorific usable about anywhere. Think 'Mr' or
'Ms' except it is also used where native English speakers might be more
casual. Usable with about everyone from your sister to your boss.

-sama is starting to pile on the honorific. Be very leery of it in most
circumstances. You could easily come across as sarcastic. It seems close
to calling somone 'Sir' or 'Master' in English. It can be done properly -
but in many situations you might arouse a suspicion of being less than
respectful in your intent (Abusing honorifics seems to be one of the main
Japanese ways of being sarcastic. Kind of like saying to a co-worker who
is on the same leval as you in English 'Yes Sir! Mr. <fill in name>,
Sir!'). If you are addressing someone in a situation where in English you
would normally use 'Sir' (as opposed to Mr) - you're probably ok.

-tono is like '-sama', only more so. If '-sama' is 'sir', '-tono' is
is 'lord'. We are probably talking royalty here.

-sensei is for teachers, professors, doctors and politicians. 
*Occasionally* used for a small number of other highly respected
individuals. This last usage is viewed by some as '-sensei inflation'. 

A name *without* any honorific is extremely informal. Don't go there
unless you are a *lot* better at Japanese social situations than I am -
because I would be scared stiff of offending someone by mis-using it. 

Japanese frequently use titles with honorifics in the way English speakers
use names. So it may make perfect sense to call a policeman 'o-keikan-san'
(Mr. Policeman)  or your older sister 'o-nee-san' (Ms. older sister). 

Oh, that brings up 'o-'. Another way of adding more politeness is the
'leading o', and it can be combined with other things. I don't understand
it very well.

All these usages change by the social context. In one context you might
refer to someone with one honorific and with a different one in a
different context. It depends on your relationships both to the listener
and the person being talked about and their relationship to both the
listener.

Now that I've displayed my ignorance to the world (If I haven't made a big
mistake in my descriptions somewhere, I'll be surprised: I'm a *student*
of Japanese - not an expert.) you can go back to our irregularly scheduled
stories. 

-- 
Benjamin Franz