君
[kʲimʲi]
In Japanese, 君 (kun) is an honorific suffix used after the name of a male peer or someone of lower status.
The honorific suffix 君 is typically used for males and is rarely attached to female names. However, in a professional setting, a superior may use 君 to address their subordinates regardless of the subordinate's gender.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
君 is an informal honorific. You should not use it when addressing a superior or someone much older than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix is attached directly to the end of a person's name or surname.
Did you know?
- In the imperial court of ancient Japan, 君 was used as a title for high-ranking nobles rather than a casual suffix for peers.
- The word 君 is a cognate of the modern Korean word for king, 임금 ('imgeum').
- Using 君 toward a superior is considered a serious social faux pas and can be interpreted as an intentional insult or a sign of extreme arrogance.
Examples in context
- たくみくんTakumi-kun
- ゆうたくんYuta-kun
- ささきくんSasaki-kun
- 田中君は優しいですね。Tanaka-kun wa yasashii desu ne.Tanaka-kun is very kind, isn't he?
- 佐藤君、手伝ってくれる？Satō-kun, tetsudatte kureru?Satō-kun, can you help me?
Example conversation
Two university students are talking in a classroom.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮君、今日の課題やった？Ren-kun, kyō no kadai yatta?Ren-kun, did you do today's assignment?
- 蓮 Renまだだよ。すごく難しいね。Mada dayo. Sugoku muzukashii ne.Not yet. It's really difficult, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね、私も苦戦してる。Sō da ne, watashi mo kusen shiteru.That's true, I'm struggling with it too.
- 蓮 Ren一緒に図書館に行かない？Issho ni toshokan ni ikanai?Want to go to the library together?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 君, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 君, CC BY-SA 4.0.
