Glance at the Japanese Couple's Terms of Address

The address terms in the family represent diverse cultural backgrounds as reflected in the Japanese couple as well. There are various and unique forms of address terms in Japanese. Japanese couple’s terms of address is one of a very interesting topic we can discuss here.

When we are talking about address terms, one form that is quite interesting to discuss is the terms of kinship (or kinship terms). Actually, forms of address terms in the category of Japanese kinship terms can be said to be quite complicated. Unwritten rules based on community values is one of the reason.

            Basically, the usage of address terms forms by married couple can be divided into 3 groups (general address terms, terms of address by couples who have children, and terms of address by couples who do not or do not have children yet. The address terms form in the kinship terms category such as okaasan ‘mother’ or mama ‘mom/mommy’ are used most often. However, that two forms of the address terms are depends on the existence or nonexistence of the children. If a husband is also a father (has biological children), the form of addressing his wife will be adjusted to the way the child addresses his mother.  If in a family, a child addresses his mother with the okaasan ‘mother’, then his father will be addresses her in the same way.

At the same time, a wife’s address to her husband will change depends on existence of children or not. Neutral terms of address forms such as otoosan ‘father’ or papa ‘dad/daddy’ are most commonly used. The usage of this address terms form follows the way children address their father.   

            However, for the couple does not or do not have children, the form of address terms using between them will be more casual. They prefer use the address terms they are used before married. A husband tends to address his wife using her first name or nickname accompanied by familiar markers such as –chan or –san. Markers –chan is categorized as suffix, usually follow the first name for woman or girl, for example : Haruko becoming Haruko-chan. When using a nickname, Japanese usually just by taking the last syllable of the name’s part, for example: Haruko becoming Ko-chan. Suffix –san can be added to the end a personal name or first name, for example : Haruko-san. These two markers are preferred by married couples who live without children. Suffix –chan usually used for women or girl, while –san can be added both to the name of women and men as well (neutral/regardless of sex).

           When a wife addresses her husband, she prefers to use the address terms form same as before get married. They try to keep maintain a dynamic relationship. Most wives like to addresses her husband with his first name or nick name followed or without familiar or neutral markers. Marker –kun is a casual form (suffix) and is used to a man (close relationship) or a young boy.

            We can see how Japanese using address terms form in their daily life especially by married couple. Japanese couple simply address each other is based on the age of the couple and existence of children or not. It is also described that the form of address terms used by Japanese couple is based on the address terms using by youngest generation (children).