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Top: Arts: Animation: Anime: Terminology

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Baka (馬鹿)

This term is used to refer to someone as stupid, dumb or an idiot.
Some variations that you might hear in Anime: bakamono, bakabakashii

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Banzai (万歳)

Banzai is used as a cheer similar to Hurrah! It is also used like "cheers" when toasting with drink at a celebration and wishing for long life.

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Bento (弁当)

A bento is a box lunch. In many anime their are scenes where these are shared with friends at school during lunch.

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Nakama (Noun) 仲間

This phrase is common in many anime. You will especially here it when a character is refering to someone who is important to them.
The following situations are common:
-company (people that you are in the company of)
-colleague(s)
-associate(s)
-comrade(s)
-mate(s)
-circle of friends
-a partner

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Oniichan, Oniisan, Oniisama

These words mean "brother". Three different suffixes are always attached.
oniichan (お兄ちゃん) - This is used in casual and informal situations as well as affectionate settings.
oniisan (お兄さん) and oniisama - These are more honorific and used in more formal settings that denote respect.

In some animes the "o" is left out and just niisan is used. Usually by a younger sibling when talking to an older brother.

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-sama

The suffix -sama is usually used to define great respect for someone who is much older and wiser or of much greater social rank. This suffix can be used for either male or females.

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Shonen (少年)

The Japanese word shounen is used to refer to young males. It is often used to categorize an anime series when most of the characters are young males.
Pronunciation: ‘sho-nehn’

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Common Suffixes

Name Meaning

-chan When this is added it denotes affection towards the person. Usually used in conjunction with young girls names

-kun Informal honorific suffix used with boys names. Usually used by adults when talking to younger boys and by other male children of around the same age

-sensei This suffix is added when addressing Teachers, Doctors and other persons of authority and/or status.

-san Denotes respect

-sama Denotes much respect