What does it mean when you call someone by their first name in Japan

16/12/2017 / Last updated : 28/12/2018 People

Why do Japanese People Care about their Friend Calling Another Friend by Their First Name or not?

Japanese people generally call someone by their last name, especially when we address classmates or regular friends (those who are not in a special relationship).Really close friends call each other by their first name. If a boy and girl call each other by their first names, you could assume they are dating. The following is some examples:

DegreeIntimacyHow to callLevel 1others / strangerslast name + san to both boys and girlsLevel 2acquaintanceslast name + san to girls / last name + kun to boys
(only if they are in the same age)Level 3regular friendslast name (or nickname)Level 4close friendsfirst name (or first name + san / chan / kun)Level 5boyfriend / girlfriendfirst name

アトリエハイキー／内浜学園天文学会

アトリエハイキー／内浜学園天文学会

The first image from In Search of the Lost Future is the scene where Sou (left boy) calls Yui (right girl) by her first name. And in the second image, Airi (right girl) asks Why did you call her by her first name? to Sou (left boy).Previously, Sou Akiyama (秋山 奏, あきやま そう, Akiyama Sou) called Yui Furukawa (古川 ゆい, ふるかわ ゆい, Furukawa Yui) by her last name, which is Furukawa. But now, he calls her by her first name, Yui. This means that their relationship has become deeper.

©Ark Performance／少年画報社・アルペジオパートナーズ

The first image from Arpeggio of Blue Steel is the scene where Iona (right girl) calls the man whom Takao (left girl) is in love with by his first name, Gunzou. And in the second image,Takao is surprised that Iona called him so, which means Iona and Gunzou are already level 5 intimacy. On the other hand, shecan only call him by full name, Chihaya Gunzou. Since they are still Level 2 or 3, her maiden plug-in seems to work normally. She is very cute

In Japan, you can guess the degree of peoples relationships from the way they address each other. If you pay attention to this, you can enjoy anime more.