San, Kun, Chan, Sama, etc, etc..

You need to add "bo" to the list.

I had a Japanese friend, a guy, named Jun. His dad would call jim "Jun Bo".

and "tan" ive seen before... whats that one mean? Seems to be something to do wih=th someone close to you or a lover

Your safest using -san, you cant get into any nasty situations with that.

My host brothers (and even the host parents) used ka-chan, to-chan, papa-chan, mama-chan. I had a poke at my club teacher (and school principal ) by calling him watanabe-chan. He thought it was hilarious, the kids were shocked

this has definately helped me out! thanks!
[Going to reread to make sure got everything!]

I don't really know all that much about all the suffixes myself, but let me add my two mao (when in Rome, do as the Romans do... or, in this case, the Chinese ) -


-tan, if I remember correctly, is kind of a kid's version of -chan (or -san, was it?... ). At least, I haven't heard of anyone older than ten using it. Naturally, correct me if I'm wrong.

-ue seems to be in a respectful, familial context indicating seniority of age. In simpler English, deep (some might say martial) respect for older family members. eg. father [chichi-ue] 父上、older sister [ane-ue] 姉上. It's probably more towards set phrases rather than a rule (mother [okaa-ue?] お母上 or older brother [onii-ue?] お兄上 just don't sound right to me). Old-time speak and all that.

All this suffix business can be a bit of a headache, and like Elizabeth suggested earlier, it's probably best to stick to the standards (or basics, one might say). After all, in the span of ten seconds you may ask "who is it?" [dochira-sama or donata-sama desu ka] どちら様・何方様ですか followed by "is this mrs. maeda?" [maeda-san desu ka] 前田さんですか ending with "hey, if it isn't chihiro" [nan da, chihiro-chan ja nai] 何だ、千尋ちゃんじゃない?.

(Incidentally, Maeda came about while I was thinking about Uesugi Kenshin 上杉謙信 from Koei's game Samurai Warriors 戦国無双. Don't ask. )