Japanese Terms and Notes

[Sabaku]

Language Notes

In Japanese, when stating a full name, the last name is stated first, followed by the first name (example: Haruno Sakura), and when addressing someone, the last name is often used instead of the first name.

Suffixes are often used after names, and may come after the first name or the last name. Only in cases where the speaker is very close to the person they are speaking to, or when the speaker is being very rude or forward, is the suffix left off. For a list of suffixes, see the Terms section. People may be referred to by their last name or first name.

When referring to a Japanese word as plural, -s or -es is not used, and the word remains as is. For example, kunai is used regardless of whether you mean one kunai or five.

[Sabaku]

Japanese Terms

-san: A polite suffix, used after the name of someone the speaker doesn't know well or is just meeting
-chan, -kun: Suffixes used between friends. -chan is only used on females, but -kun may be used for either gender.
-sama: A suffix denoting great respect.
-dono: A very formal suffix denoting great respect, used in rare cases.
-taichou, Taichou: Literally "commander"; sometimes used to refer to the leader of a ninja team on a mission. May be used alone or as a suffix.
kunoichi: A female ninja
shinobi: A ninja
kunai: A bladed weapon similar to a thrown knife, and one of the most basic ninja weapons
shuriken: A throwing star, and one of the most basic ninja weapons
(o)kaa(-san, etc.): Mother; most suffixes can be used after this.
(o)tou(-san, etc.): Father; most suffixes can be used after this.
(o)nii-san(-san, etc.): Older brother; most suffixes can be used after this.
(o)nee(-san, etc.): Older sister; most suffixes can be used after this. Nee-san may also refer to an attractive woman, but it's pretty rude.
Imoto-chan: Younger sister; -san and other suffixes of high respect are not used.
Otouto-chan: Younger brother; -san and other suffixes of high respect are not used.
(o)jii(-san, etc.): Grandfather; most suffixes may be used after this.
(o)baa(-san, etc.): Grandmother; most suffixes may be used after this.
(o)ji(-san, etc.): Uncle; most suffixes may be used after this.
(o)ba(-san, etc.): Aunt; most suffixes may be used after this.