Difference Between Sama, San, Kun and Chan

Greetings everyone. If you're a beginner to anime and manga, you may have wondered what Sama, San, Kun, and Chan means. These terms are Japanese honorifics that are added at the end of a name. To put it simply, honorifics in Japan are similar to calling someone Mr, Ms, or Mrs in English.

Simplified Explanation:

Sama — Used for someone who is seen as a god or of a higher rank

San — Closest honorific to Mr, Ms, or Mrs. It is a title of respect.

Kun — Usually used for boys by someone of a higher status

Chan — Used for endearment (children, female family members, and close friends)

Hope this helps! Good luck