Any language is a highly variable phenomenon. He is constantly improving, discarding the unnecessary and eagerly accepting new words, he surprisingly adjusts to his carriers, enriching himself with new, hitherto unknown terms. Most of the new words come from the English language, but Asian countries are slowly gaining popularity among young people, whose culture still seems completely incomprehensible to many Europeans. Japanese “anime” cartoons, “manga” comics, short “drama” series - all this brings a lot of new words to youth slang.
Who are chan and kun, how are kigurumi worn and what is the beauty of onigiri? It is very easy to answer these questions, just dive into the amazing culture of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Difference in treatment
In many European languages there is a distinction between addressing a man and a woman, but it is usually expressed in different words used before the surnames (Mr. Smith and Miss Smith, Herr Crank and Frau Crank). In Asia, everything is exactly the opposite: they have special suffixes that indicate not only gender, but also social status, are placed after the name or surname of the interlocutor. “Chan” and “kun” refer precisely to these “reverse” suffixes. In addition, they are also diminutive particles emphasizing a good or, on the contrary, neglect attitude.
By the way, different interpretations can still play a role here - Europeans can’t agree on whether the soft sound “h” exists in Japanese or whether it should be replaced by “t”. Because of this, instead of “chan”, “chan” is very often pronounced, the meaning does not change from this.
So who are the chants and coons?
Such amazing suffixes
The suffix "kun" is usually used by men or to refer to a man. But his explanation is a little strange for a European: this is a friendly attitude, but at the same time preserving a certain distance between the interlocutors. In the same anime, he is most often heard in conversations between classmates or friends.
What about chan? What it is? This suffix is sugary-sweet, sucking, usually used in conversations with someone younger than the speaker or lower in social status, but is close to him. That is, the use of the word "chan" to refer an adult to a child, a guy to a girlfriend, a small child to his peer (namely a little one!) Is quite normal.
Caution!
But there are always pitfalls. Who are the drags is already clear. But anime fans will notice that sometimes in their favorite series, girls use this suffix to refer to peers. What to do with this?
In fact, the use of "chan" in relation to a person of equal social status is impolite. Not a single educated Japanese will use this suffix with the name of an unfamiliar girl or just a friend, because he will offend her with this. The same applies to referring to guys - for them it is not only rudeness, but also emphasizing femininity, perhaps even some neglect on the part of the interlocutor.
So. Chan - what is it? This is a suffix that allows not only to show one’s good attitude, but also to humiliate another person - the fine line between kindness and rudeness is easily crossed.
And in Russian?
Who are the chants and coons in Japanese is clear. But the transition of words from one language to another is very often accompanied by a transformation of their meaning. So, for example, the word “accurate” that sounds the same in Russian and English in the first case means “neat”, and in the original “exact”. Our suffixes have undergone the same changes.
And who is this kind of youth among Russian-speaking countries? This is any girl, it does not matter if she is Asian or European. Just a designation of a female subject. It is from this that the well-known in Runet “chans are not needed” came from - rejection of any relationship with girls. In turn, “kun” is absolutely any guy.
It is paradoxical and interesting that if the suffix "chan" is used by both adolescents and young people of both sexes, then "kun" is more common among girls of primary and secondary school age.
