Fourth Shooting Star - voice;

[risingwinds]

Hey, there's something I've been wondering for a while now. Some people here use words like "kun" and uh... "san" at the end of people's names, but what does it mean? Is it like saying mister or miss? It's something I never heard before I came here, not even in other worlds.

[Hmm. There's something else he's curious about, too. Prior to the draft, people were talking about Christmas, so...]

By the way, isn't Christmas coming up pretty soon? I wonder if Santa's gonna make it here. If he can travel to all the worlds in one night, then I'm sure it's possible, but what if the barrier gets in the way? Has he ever been here before?

Comments

[voice]

[vanityunbcoming.livejournal.com]

What are you, five? Don't tell me you still believe in that kiddie stuff, Ventus.

[voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

'Course I believe! Why wouldn't I believe in something that's real?

[seiriald]

It's something like that, people use it more for politeness than anything. 'San' is the equivalent of mister or miss, while 'kun' is used for boys and 'chan' for girls if they're younger than you or they're close friends. People in the country I was born in use it sometimes, but it's a dying fad.

... Christmas? [You have peaked her interest!]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

So it's just a part of their culture? I guess I've still got a lot to learn about other worlds.

[He laughs sheepishly. The more you know! ~✭]

Yeah, Christmas! It's a holiday.

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

[ Usually, he would ignore posts like this, but his mind goes to Joana and... hmm. ]

... Keep your fingers crossed and who knows? Maybe he will.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Yeah, good idea! If Santa can make it to all the worlds in one night, I'm sure he can get here somehow.

[text]

[purpledemoneyes.livejournal.com]

They're Japanese, that's why.

[text]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Japanese? So is the world they come from called Japan?

[1week-wizard.livejournal.com]

Japanese honorifics. It is an overly complicated systematic politeness that their culture enforces.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

But is there a reason why it's so complicated? It sounds kinda confusing.

[Voice]

[de_bel_survivor]

They're Japanese honorifics to show respect and politeness for the other person. It's like using 'mister' or 'miss'.

[Voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

So that is what it means! I thought so, but I just wasn't sure. I've still got a lot to learn about different cultures.

[my-safe-corner.livejournal.com]

...What's...Christmas?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

It's a holiday where you spend time with your friends and family and exchange gifts. Some people call it the season of giving.

[Voice]

[wingenvy]

Never heard of Christmas before. What's that?

[Voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Well, for Christmas you get gifts for your friends and family and spend time together. You can celebrate it by decorating a tree or hanging up stockings and lights. It's a lot of fun!

[psychebubble]

... Aren't you too old for Santa?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Too old? I don't think so! You're never too old to have Christmas spirit.

[dragonhero.livejournal.com]

Christmas?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Yep! I guess some people here haven't heard of it, but it's a holiday where you and the people close to you exchange gifts and spend time together.

[gandrism.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they're honorifics for politeness... At least most of the time.

I'm sure if I called someone I know Shirou-chan he would be bothered by that. Mostly because he's a man and chan is used mostly for girls who are younger than you or close friends that are female.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Well, that makes sense! It'd be like calling Aqua "Mr. Aqua," since she's a girl. So each of those... honorifics has to do with whether you're a boy or a girl and how close you are to 'em?

[Voice]

[wanderer-jack.livejournal.com]

[Finally, words the samurai found a great amount of solace in.]
I believe I can help in clearing up the confusion of those words. San is used as one would for saying mister or miss, but it can also be used for those of a certain workplace. For example, you would possibly call a grocer "grocer-san." Kun is more frequently used to refer to boys, one of senior rank referring to one of a lower status or rank, but might be used by young women for a man they have known for quite a long time.

Hmm, what are some others you might hear possibly? Hmm. Ahh! "Chan" is often a term used for children, but it can be a term of endearment towards a loved one or close friend. However, you should never use it for a superior's name, since that would be insulting and quite rude.

Another you are likely to hear is "Sama." This is like "san", but used to show respect for one of a higher rank than oneself or towards one you greatly admire. Does this help you?

[Voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

[Ah, Jack! You're so informative. Ven takes a moment to listen to what Jack has to say before he responds.]

Thanks! That really does help a lot. I guess "sama" would be like calling my Master by his title, and the others make a lot more sense now.

[voice]

[infinitepath.livejournal.com]

"Kun" is used for a boy that you are friends with, but don't know well enough to say their name without honorifics. It is the same way with adding "chan" to the name of a girl. "San" means mister or miss.

[voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Gotcha! That really clears things up, and I guess it's not too different from using titles.

[voice]

[enduringwaters.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he'll find a way. Just as long as you were good this year.

[voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Well, I've been trying my best to help!

[...eheheh.]

I just hope he won't mind that I ran away from home. I just wanted to keep up with Terra.

[voice]

[sly-little-fox.livejournal.com]

Never heard people use those before where you come from? Fair enough since I ain't heard a' Santa before.

[voice]

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Really? Well, Santa brings presents to people every year during Christmas as long as they've been good.