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"Ojii-chan" translation 2008/8/8 12:11
IsgOjii-chan" an informal Japanese word for gGrandpa"? Does the hyphen need to be there? Does the "chan" added after a first name show affection and familiarity?
Thanks.
by A.  

Grandpa 2008/8/8 19:12
Yes, ojiichan means Grandpa, Granddad, whatever you called your grandfather as a child, ojiichan is the Japanese equivalent.

No, the hyphen is not necessary, it doesn't make any difference if it is there or not apart from perhaps helping people who aren't familiar with Japanese with the pronunciation.
by Sira rate this post as useful

Just to add... 2008/8/8 19:21
I think the hyphen is used more often with names because it is *originally* a suffix. When people attach it to personal names, since the person's name and the "chan" are separate words, "-chan" with hyphen is often used.

But in case of words like "ojiichan" (grandpa), "obaachan" (grandpa), "otoochan" (dad), "oneechan" (elder sister), etc., in cases where the word INCLUDING the "chan" is already used commonly as one word, the hyphen is not necessary and not used.
by AK rate this post as useful

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