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.

-sama can be roughly translated as 'Lord', 'Lady', or 'Master'.  Hence the
usual translations of 'Yupa-sama' (from nausicaa) as Lord Yupa or Master
Yupa.

Another good example is a Zen priest who has a temple near where my
parents live.  Everyone who knows him respects him greatly, so everyone
calls him Genki-sama (except his students, such as my mother, who call him
Genki-roshi... this is very loosely translatable as 'Master Teacher
Genki').

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