In a message dated 97-02-10 21:46:40 EST, you write:

"-kun" has connotations of male, but other than that, I'm not sure.  And
 while we're at it, what does "-sama" mean
 ?

12/9/96           

Here are the honorifics' meanings- got it off one of the newsletters passed
around at my club...

    -san: This ending connotes a degree of formality and respect. It is
usually used in business and public settings, attached to the surname.  An
example of this is "Yamashita-san". This can also be attached to first
names. This can be seen as the equivalent of Mr, or Miss, and is the
standard form. Often, as a romantic relationship evolves, a guy will first
call his girlfriend by her surname with "-san" attached, then with her first
name with "-san" attached, and finally by just her first name, or a nickname. 

    -kun: This ending is usually attached to the surnames or first name of
boys, or inferiors in business or school. However, it can also be used on
women. What was written above about romantic relationships also applies to
this ending, with girls calling boys first buy surname + "-kun", then first
name and "-kun", then by their first name. An example of this is in
Marmalade Boy, where Miki is disturbed when Arimi calls Ginta by 
his first name, instead of "Suoh-kun". 

    -chan: This ending is used for very small children of either gender,
girls into their late teens or older (often by sexist bosses) and pets. An
example is P-chan, a pet pig, in Ranma ½. Sometimes, a girl will keep
calling a boy "-chan" into the teens and later if she has known him since
they were children to connote familiarity. i.e.- Ukyou calling Ranma
"Ran-chan". 

    -sama: This ending is usually used in addressing rulers or religious
leaders, with a great degree of respect. For example, the recent crown
princess of Japan is called "Masako-sama", In Fushigi Yuugi, Miaka is called
"Miaka-sama" because she is the Priestess of Suzako, a divine power. 

   -dono: This ending is derived from the word "tono", which means lord.
"-Dono" connotes great respect, but with more of a feudal contest. It is
used in samurai films a lot, but not much in anime, besides in Tenchi Muyo!,
where Tenchi is called "Tenchi-dono".

Not Mainstream-

   -rin: This is a "trendy" ending used for girls, especially those who fit
the "loli-con" stereotype, such as "idol" singers. 

   -peh: This is usually used as part of a nickname for children, and among
close friends. 

Hope that this helps!

Monica/Akira-chan!

-----
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