A question about Japanese culture... actually a couple.

writergirl · Post by **writergirl** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 8:20 pm

Okay Question 1
From when to when do they have school?

Question 2
What are the different words that go after names, and what are they called, IE: Minako-chan

question 3
What kind of breaks do japanese high school students get? (from school)

Okay that's it... thank for answers!

Post by **Tiff** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 9:46 pm

Answer to question 2:
Those are called honorifics. "Chan" is generally used with a friend or younger person, or with a girlfriend or boyfriend. "San" is respectful, and used with generally adults. "Kun" is generally used between male friends, but I have heard it used between a male and female friend. "Sama" is extremely respectful, and used with elders and those in important positions.

writergirl, it may be wiser to look some of these up.
Also a note: whoever responds, DON'T repeat what someone else has already said. If you have something to ADD, fine. But it's annoying when the same response is given over and over.

Dinozore · Post by **Dinozore** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:40 pm

I think "kun" can be used for women also. I'm pretty sure Kaorinite and the Witches 5 were addressed that way by Tomoe. I haven't watched S in a while, but I'm pretty sure.

There's also "dono" but I don't know exactly what that means. I think it's similar to "san" but maybe a little more formal? I'm not sure.

writergirl · Post by **writergirl** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:51 pm

thank you much Tuffu and dino... do either of you have info on teh other two?

Cardcaptor Takato · Post by **Cardcaptor Takato** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 12:15 am

I've hear that "kun" is also used for someone who's lesser than you and "chan" is an endearment. So, maybe "kun" is used between male friends, and you call females who're lesser than you "kun" to annoy them or something? I'm really not sure as the Japanese honorifics confuse me.

Post by **Tiff** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:44 am

Dinozore wrote:I think "kun" can be used for women also. I'm pretty sure Kaorinite and the Witches 5 were addressed that way by Tomoe. I haven't watched S in a while, but I'm pretty sure.

There's also "dono" but I don't know exactly what that means. I think it's similar to "san" but maybe a little more formal? I'm not sure.

"Dono" is generally like the equivalent of "lady" or "lord", i've noticed...like "lady Tiffu" (*cough* No arrogance here...of course not...). I've seen it used by butlers and the like for those women which they serve....and for mistresses and royalty.
And yeah, I mentioned that I've heard it used for men and women. I'm not really sure if there's a difference there.

Akarui Kibuno · Post by **Akarui Kibuno** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 6:51 am

I've also heard of guys being called with the name of their girlfriend, followed by -kun ( like the Usagi-kun to call Seiya in one ep of Sailor Stars) .

Is that one correct too ?

RyoRei0110 · Post by **RyoRei0110** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 12:30 pm

1) High school runs for three years, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, just like thier middle school system (7th, 8th, and 9th). But everytime you go up in a school level you start over in grade level. I.e. Middle School Grade 1 for 7th, Grade 2 for 8th, Grade 3 for 9th, and then High School Grade 1 (10th) Grade 2 (11th) Grade 3 (12th)

Hope this helps...I'm not sure about #3 though, sorry ^^;

writergirl · Post by **writergirl** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 8:28 pm

thanks for that bit of info... but what I really wanted was to know what dates they go by... like the american school system goes from End of august early Sept. to end of may, early june (high school anyway.)
But I noticed in SM Stars especially that during the summer they're in school , but they have a break to go to Rei-chan's cousin's... anyinput on this will be welcome as well!

RyoRei0110 · Post by **RyoRei0110** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 8:48 pm

Oh...! ^^; Well in that case, the school year starts in April and ends in March, and is divided into 3 terms: April to July, September to December, and January to March.

I found this on a website some time ago, but I don't remember the url... I'll post it if I can find it again, it had some good info on school.

Aya Reiko · Post by **Aya Reiko** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 9:35 pm

RyoRei0110 wrote:Oh...! ^^; Well in that case, the school year starts in April and ends in March, and is divided into 3 terms: April to July, September to December, and January to March.

I found this on a website some time ago, but I don't remember the url... I'll post it if I can find it again, it had some good info on school.

Additional note:

The Japanese School week is six days long as opposed to our 5. School on Saturday is typically only a half day.

(Source: H&HC v1)

Jusenkyo no Pikachu · Post by **Jusenkyo no Pikachu** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:10 am

Ah, so THAT'S why Usagi treats Saturday like we do in English-speaking countries.

And in answer to #3, I know that the school year starts in April but I'm not sure about the rest.

yoshmaster5 · Post by **yoshmaster5** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:46 am

hm... I know they get a summer break, maybe a winter one...

RoastedTwinkies · Post by **RoastedTwinkies** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:29 pm

Aya Reiko wrote:
RyoRei0110 wrote:Oh...! ^^; Well in that case, the school year starts in April and ends in March, and is divided into 3 terms: April to July, September to December, and January to March.

I found this on a website some time ago, but I don't remember the url... I'll post it if I can find it again, it had some good info on school.
Additional note:

The Japanese School week is six days long as opposed to our 5. School on Saturday is typically only a half day.

(Source: H&HC v1)

As of last year, my Japanese pen pal told me that they no longer have school on Saturdays.