Lesson 4: Family Names

Family references:

" - " These are used when having a conversation about your own family. One must be humble themselves in speaking about them so these are to be used

" * " These are used when you're referring to someone else's family member other than yours. These are also used with calling to each other when you're together by yourselves (although if you want to be polite to your family members, use the "O" as well). The use for the "O"s at the beginning is putting the other person's family higher than yours in order to be polite and humble yourself even further when conversing. I'll explain more if you need it.

- Family = Kazoku
- Grandfather = Sofu
- Grandmother = Sobo
- Uncle = Oji
- Aunt = Oba
- Father = Chichi
- Mother = Haha
- Brother(older) = Ani
- Brother(younger) = Ototo
- Sister(older) = Ane
- Sister(younger) = Imoto
- Cousin = Itoko

* Family = Gokazoku
* Grandfather = Ojii-san
* Grandmother = Obaa-san
* Uncle = Oji-san
* Aunt = Oba-san
* Father = Otoo-san
* Mother = Okaa-san
* Brother(older) = Onii-san
* Brother(younger) = Ototo-san
* Sister(older) = Onee-san
* Sister(younger) = Imoto-san
* Counsin = Oitoko-san

As a side note, "aka-chan" is for "baby" since their cheeks are red.

Family and Other People You May Encounter:

Otou-san - father

This is used to refer to other people's fathers or while addressing your own father. When addressing your own, some more affectionate ways are "Otou-chan" or "Tou-chan."

Chichi - father

This is used to refer to your own father in front of other people. I've also noticed that Quatre calls his dad "Chichi-ue," which literally translates into "father up." I assume it's a term of extreme respect for your own father.

Okaa-san - mother

Like "otou-san," used to refer to other people's mothers or while addressing your own. Other forms are "Okaa-chan" or "Kaa-chan."

Haha - mother

Used to refer to your own mother in front of other people. Not sure if "Haha-ue" is ever used.

Onii-san - big brother

Used to refer to other people's big brothers or while addressing your own. Other forms are "Onii-chan" or "Nii-chan." It can also be used to address males around the age of an older brother when you don't know their name.

Ani - big brother

Used to refer to your own big brother in front of other people. I think "Ani-ue" is used sometimes, not sure though.

Onee-san - big sister

Used to refer to other people's big sisters or while addressing your own. Other forms are "Onee-chan" or "Nee-chan." I think it can also be used to address females around the age of an older sister when you don't know their name.

Ane - big sister

Used to refer to your own big sister in front of other people. I guess "Ane-ue" could be used too.

Otouto - little brother

Used to refer to your own little brother in front of other people. Use "Otouto-san" for other people's little brothers. When you address your own little brother, you usually use his name.

Imouto - little sister

Used to refer to your own little sister in front of other people. Use "Imouto-san" for other people's little sisters. When you address your own little sister, you usually use her name.

Oji-san - uncle; sir

When used as "sir," it's a respectful form of address aimed toward a middle-aged man from a younger person.

Oba-san - aunt; ma'am

When used as "ma'am," it's a respectful form of address aimed toward a middle-aged woman from a younger person.

Ojou-san - daughter; miss

When used as "miss," it's a respectful form of address aimed toward younger women, I'm guessing. Duo calls Relena this in the beginning.

Senpai - elder; senior

The senpai/kohai relationship in Japan is one between an older person and a younger person at school or at work. The older person usually takes care of the kohai and guides him through scary times, while the kohai is expected to perform well to increase his senpai's stature. Since Teen and I are in the same school (and have been for forever... she's following me everywhere!), I'm her senpai, and she's my kohai. Although I don't hold her to the performing-well-to-raise-my-stature thing. And she usually feeds me, instead of the other way around -_-;;.

thx for use ful tips ^_^

thx for the tips

oh my, arigatou gozaimassu.

thank you for the tips!
umm how do u pronouce "ue"? it like "ooo" then "eh" rite?

Yup, you're right. XD

ohhh! Wooo=) i thought i was wrong for a sec hehe

THANKS

I USE



* Family = Gokazoku
* Grandfather = Ojii-san
* Grandmother = Obaa-san
* Uncle = Oji-san
* Aunt = Oba-san
* Father = Otoo-san
* Mother = Okaa-san
* Brother(older) = Onii-san
* Brother(younger) = Ototo-san
* Sister(older) = Onee-san
* Sister(younger) = Imoto-san
* Counsin = Oitoko-san

thank u very much i learn alot....

what is the right pronunciation of words that have double vowels...

for example.
onii-san...is it
(oh-ni-san) or (oh-ni-i-san)?

the First one... It was said as "Oni-san" [Oh-ni-san]

im also confused at the oba-san n obaasan..
obviously Oba-san is pronounced Oh-Ba-San... but for the other is it.. pronounced like Oh- baaa(like a sheep)- san? the "baa" paart is botherin me..

LOL! Well not definitely like a Sheep... just that Obaa-san .. the "baa" is longer it pronounced... and in Oba-san its like straight and shorter when pronounced....