Distinguishing Between Kun & San

Kun and San are two of several honorifics used by Japanese people when addressing others. These gender-neutral terms can be used for both men and women, which may cause confusion in understanding their differences. Kun and San are used when referring to someone and not in the presence of the person. There are rules for using these suffixes before an individual’s name, as well as differences between Kun and San, highlighted in this article.

San

San is probably the most common and widely used honorific in Japan. Many people believe that adding this suffix to a person’s family name is equivalent to referring to someone as Mr. or Ms. in English. In reality, San is reserved for adults and older people to show them respect. When talking about someone you don’t know well, it’s advisable to place ‘san’ at the end of their name while speaking in Japanese. San is gender-neutral and can be used for both males and females.

Kun

Kun is an honorific primarily used for young men or boys and is commonly used by Japanese people. In general, Kun can be equated with the title of Mr. or Ms. in English. However, Kun should only be used for men and boys, and it’s essential to remember not to use this title for people older than you, as it can offend them. For example, your boss at the office can use Kun while referring to you, but you should avoid using Kun for your boss. The use of Kun reflects the affection that older people have towards younger people. Men with higher social status often use Kun to refer to other younger men, showing their love and warmth and simultaneously letting others know who the big brother is.

Key Takeaways

• San is used for people older and senior to you, is gender-neutral, and is more formal than Kun.
• Kun is reserved for young men and boys and should only be used for those socially junior to you.
• Teachers use Kun to refer to boys in their class, while San can be used safely when unsure about the situation.