When is it appropriate to address somebody as くん？
Hi everybody, I have a question regarding when it is appropriate to address someone younger than you as くん. I know how to use さん、ちゃん and all that, but my question goes more along the lines of WHEN it is appropriate to use anything other than さん.
If I'm talking to a male who's younger than me (I'm 21 and let's say he's 17) for the first time, does he being younger than me immediately give me the right to address him as くん, even if it's the first time we talk?

For example, let's say I'm sending a message to a particular Japanese user for the first time.. I know he's younger than me, so it's okay if I address him immediately as くん? or is くん reserved to people whom I've already "befriended"? should I address him as さん then? even with an age difference of 4-5 years?

Lastly, does that apply to ちゃん as well?

Thanks in advance!

Question

When is it appropriate to address somebody as くん？
Hi everybody, I have a question regarding when it is appropriate to address someone younger than you as くん. I know how to use さん、ちゃん and all that, but my question goes more along the lines of WHEN it is appropriate to use anything other than さん.
If I'm talking to a male who's younger than me (I'm 21 and let's say he's 17) for the first time, does he being younger than me immediately give me the right to address him as くん, even if it's the first time we talk?

For example, let's say I'm sending a message to a particular Japanese user for the first time.. I know he's younger than me, so it's okay if I address him immediately as くん?  or is くん reserved to people whom I've already "befriended"?  should I address him as さん then? even with an age difference of 4-5 years?

Lastly, does that apply to ちゃん as well?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

I'll write "my opinion". I think it's better to use さん to everyone for the first time, I would do if she/he is 4-5 years younger than me. However, there is no rules and all depends on the person. Some want to use ちゃん/くん to make new friends but there are some who think it's "too friendly". So I'd like to recommend you to use さん for the first time and ask her/him how you can call her/him.

Si quieres saber más, házmelo saber. ¡Mucha suerte!

Answer

I basically agree with Ryoko-san. It is safer to say "さん" at first, and then people usually ask you to call them without it or whatever. As you said, "くん" and "ちゃん" are used for younger people than you, but there is another aspect. (Very very) roughly saying, "さん" is for adults, and "くん" and "ちゃん" are for children. I think it is completely OK, or rather, appropriate to say "くん" and "ちゃん" for children aged up to 10 to 12. You should be careful when you call people older than that. I think it is also OK to say "くん" in your case because he is still in his teens, and you are around his age and older than him.

Answers · 4

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