This occurred to me while reading a fanfic in which Sakura realizes her feelings for Naruto:

In the fic, once she came to accept that she loves him, she began calling him "Naruto-kun".

Wasn't so sure I liked that =/

To me, it would almost be....more impersonal if she started calling him that. Sai's already pointed out that she doesn't use a suffix when addressing Naruto, and even tried it himself as a way to be closer to both of them, showing us that her lack of the "kun" is a positive thing....right?

So...how would you feel if Sakura decided she "for realzies" loved Naruto, and then started calling him "Naruto-kun"? I've heard of people that support the idea, and people that don't. *shrug*

In fanfiction, I think it works both ways... though to a large degree it depends on what point in the canon story she changes that address. If it's after the villagers have completely accepted him (the battle with Pein), it makes no sense for her to do so -- it's a step backwards in terms of intimacy, and even if they did have a step backwards she should change the form of address to 'san' to make her point -- kun makes zero sense after that.

However, if the villagers are still hostile\distrustful of Naruto, changing her form of address to a more formal, but still intimate, form of address like 'kun' could send a message that he had earned her respect, which (assuming the villagers respect her, too, which I believe they do) would be a clear message of support for him. I think, after the discussion she and Naruto had with Sai about why they didn't change honorifics for each other because it would be a distraction, if she were to make such a change of address for such a reason, she would need to explain it to Naruto himself so he wasn't offended (because there she formally told him that she was no longer not using his honorific to disrespect him, yet she felt they were close enough that they no longer needed honorifics between them; prior to that, while it might have been assumed, it had never been explicitly stated... at least, not as far as we know).

But in canon, I'd rather not see it at this point.

I'm not sure I could really see Sakura feeling like she'd need to do that though--then again, we're discussing something that might occur in fanfiction right?--she's more the type of person to exhibit her respect through her actions I think.



Not sure I remember the bolded bit being part of the conversation... But I agree, if she were to make a conscious change she'd need to tell him first or else he'd assume something was up.

You know, I don't know what word I meant to put there other than "distraction," but that's sure as hell not the word I meant to put there.

Sorry, I don't remember the manga well enough to give chapter and verse of when the event occured, but I very distinctly remember the scene; it was the first time I'd ever seen Japanese honorifics actually discussed in the canon of a Japanese manga, so I really took note of it.

What it really is a mistake by fanfiction authors. Its basically a misunderstanding of the true meaning of Suffixes and the Kun suffix in particular. The Kun suffix is not meant in a romantic light but because Sakura always used it with sasuke it gets misinterpreted.

it falls along the same lines as the author making Sakuras behavior be because of her parents, or because she always followed the other kids, its there way to explain why sakura behaved the way she did to Naruto before changing but failing to understand the true reason.

Interesting. I always took it to just be a way to address someone you care about but aren't exactly close to--as in the way Sakura uses "Sasuke-kun", or Hinata uses "Naruto-kun". Not necessarily in a romantic sense, but just as a way to show that you care for the person as more than just an acquaintance?

Could be totally wrong, though.



@desaix--

No big; if you wanna recheck the scene here's a link (just if you wanna remember what word you meant to use?):

http://www.onemanga.com/Naruto/311/09/ <----First part.

Let me answer you with a scene from one of my favorite movies ever.

You've made my night <3

if you want a real interesting trick.

we know Sakura doesnt call Naruto by a suffix.

want to know another young lady who doesnt call her guy by a suffix?

hint. she has red hair and glasses.

^Only when she's not being fangirly....

Maybe, but she's shown us (before he tried to kill her off) that she still sees him in a slightly fangirl-ish way even without calling him "Sasuke-kun".
I think her referring to him that way when they're alone is for humor only; doesn't really have to do with her affections so much as her trying to relay those affections in a way she thinks is flirty.

....even though it's mostly creepy =/

Neither does Kushina, she doesn't call Minato. Minato-kun...

(Not sure who this is directed at, but whatever XD )

True, and as both Kushina and Sakura started off disliking their respective blonds, neither were really prompted to tack "-kun" onto the boys' names.

But here's a counter to that: For all we're aware, Kushina didn't have another boy she admired whom she did refer to with "-kun", whereas Sakura did. It may come down to the girl's idea of what that suffix implies--maybe Kushina was just the sort of girl to not bother with it, while Sakura's shown that she is.

:< that could be a spoiler. Or maybe is because Kushina is very real on her feelings which is something that Naruto took from her, since he blabbers out anything that comes into his mind. While Sakura had to keep her feelings hidden from the start of her childhood <3

What do you meant that Sakura have to keep her feelings? She show she'd love Sasuke and she'd can cries alot. So I think those are feelings if I'm not mistake?

I believe Sakura has her feelings for Naruto but she might not realize it, not knows and keeps it secret. I know its 95% nonsense, but I want to believe that

I mind a little about the suffix -kun where Sakura doesn't use it to call Naruto, because I think the using of that suffix make Sakura a more girly girl, not a tough one. I think she wouldn't call Naruto with that suffix because...she wants to be tough in Naruto's eyes?? Maybe, in my opinion. But she could use it, such as when she has a special time with him...in his or her house...at night...tehe

the suffix -kun means not much of anything but respect notice every one calls sasuke sasuke-kun this is nothing to do with feelings.with out the kun means closeness formalism.
sakura crys for naruto look at the 4 tail scene.

Here's a question for y'all. What's more annoying to listen to: "Naruto-kun!" or "Kurosaki-kun!"?

I want to be clear.

I

WOULD

HATE

THAT!!

NO, NO AND AGAIN NO!!!

Incorrect she doesnt call him that even when shes having one of her comedic moments.

"Naruto-kun", but that's only 'cause I don't follow Bleach =P
....that is from Bleach right? The "Kurosaki-kun" thing?


@Strangelove--

Good point; Sakura's more prone to be cautious with how much of her actual emotion she shows, or at least that was the case when Sasuke was involved.


@8hokage--

I think what she means is that while Sakura was very open about the fact that she had feelings for Sasuke, she didn't always actually behave openly around him (or others for that matter besides Ino and Naruto) because she wanted to be seen a certain way.


@Sherry--

To be more tough? I'm not sure that has much to do with it....but maybe? I think it's more that she feels less obliged to address Naruto with a suffix since she went from not treating him with to respect to seeing him as an equal for who he is--there wasn't really a phase in there where she might have seen him as someone "respectable" enough to suddenly start calling "-kun".


@New Revolution--

Didn't know that; like I mentioned earlier, I always kind of figured it was just a formal way to address someone you feel sort of close to *shrug* If it's used more as you say, though, it makes more sense.


@Sakura_1--

XD I feel pretty much the same. It really grates on my nerves whenever I come across her calling him that in a fic/doujinshi/fanart.

Hinata saying it is bad enough just Orihime saying it over and over and over.

At least it's not as bad as Reborn where some of the guys call each other with chan suffix instead of kun.

actually the chan suffix is mostly gender neutral. its kind of the japanese equivalent of kiddo. it cna be used for both males (specifically younger boys) and and females.

its generaly used as an affectionate nickname for a female but it has multiple uses.

Kinda like how Rukia goes usagi-chan for bunny, right?
Chan is just more of a cutesy way to refer some thing or some one.

And besides, isn't -kun more of a term to refer someone that is younger or lesser rank than yourself in a more informal tone?

Uh... not exactly. It is often used to show both familiarity and respect when the level of respect (OR the status\rank of the person) and the formality of address isn't high enough to warrant the use of 'sama.'

OH GOD!!! WHY!!!

I'm pretty sure Sakura would never switch. She never switched with Sasuke, even after he became their enemy. The -kun is nothing but habit at this point, and since she sticks with that I have no reason to think she would change what she calls Naruto. By the same token, Naruto wouldn't stop calling her Sakura-chan either.

Though I've wondered if Naruto ever refers to Hinata with the -chan suffix. I've heard conflicting things about it.

I have seen Naruto saying Hinata-chan but only in fanfics, never seen it in the manga or anime

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Hmm I just don't see Sakura calling Naruto, Naruto-kun, to me it would seem so out of character for her to say that.

I have to agree with this. While it was funny in the omake, this isn't require for her. Many fanfics always made Sakura called Naruto, "Naruto-kun" like she is Hinata's replacement, which is a pet peeve for me (although, I don't mind that she call him that at least once or twice in lemons... ).

OMG, the squeally voice of that running through my head over and over...

Yeah, Sakura saying Naruto-kun is like A doughnut filled with broccoli. Doesn't work does it?

exactly chan is a cutesey nickname or way of referring to someone



also correct. Kuns falls along the same or similar lines to sempai.

for example Sasuke or Choji could be referred to as kun as they are on the same level of position as the gals of the 9. while Neji and Shikamaru would most appropriately be referred to as Sempai as both are of higher rank then the rest.

Kun would also be appropriate as a suffix for both as well.

Hey,
I don't think I shall like it a lot if Sakura adopts 'Naruto-Kun' as her way of adressing Naruto.
Being from a country with a very specific code of conduct regarding how to address someone, though not something as elaborate as Japanese suffixes, I appreciate the fact that every form of addressing has a different meaning.
From what i have understood till now,
'kun' represents familiarity with respect/admiration,
'san' is a polite way of addressing someone without implying closeness or even familiarity,
'sama' is for person at a higher station in life, or someone highly respectable,
no honorific, however can mean either no respect, or closeness/intimacy to the level that formality is not required.
Now, with Sakura, she addresses everyone with politeness with two notable exceptions:
a) Sasuke: whom she always calls 'kun'. First to represent admiration and now, atleast according to me, out of habit.
b) Naruto: whom she had never called with any honorific. In the beginning, I think it was because of no respect rather than familiarity (he did use to annoy her). Though later it remained so due to their increased closeness, and also due to her habit. If Naruto has been paying any attention, he would know that being with him through his worst time, she does respect and support him. She need not imply with her speech that he is respected.
And now, since it depicts closeness, now her usage of ‘kun’ suffix, will denote distance (along with respect). I think if she starts doing so with him, instead of being happy, Naruto should get worried, as to what he did to distance her from himself.
But the above is my point of view and opinions may differ.
Take care.

....well, not sure what to say to that other than "thank you" for summing up my thoughts on the matter entirely, and in a concise manner XD

HAHA! I laughed at the 'Kurosaki-kun' part.


I find it weird and different if Sakura call Naruto, Naruto-kun. I've always skipped fan fics where the authors write them with Sakura calling him Naruto-kun. I don't know but it seems as if it makes the girl sounds weak. I don't know what I'm talking about but then, yeah.

THIS. I will always, always stop reading a fanfic if Sakura starts calling him "Naruto-kun".

I think I kind of get what you're saying about it making her seem weak: to me, whenever I see her refer to him that way, my mind is immediately taken back to how she'd behave around Sasuke. I have a hard time separating Sakura's use of "-kun" and the almost timid (and dishonest, in terms of her real nature) behavior she'd display when addressing Sasuke with it.

We may never know if using "-kun" is something Sakura did only with Sasuke because she admired him without knowing him through friendship first, or if it's something she'd do with Naruto as well as a sign of her genuine affection--but I do know that it drives me up a wall to imagine her saying it to Naruto

Naruto-kun makes me cringe.

In the manga, -kun is used in a somewhat negative light. Either by the two fangirls (Hinata to Naruto, Sakura to Sasuke) or by Orochimaru or Kabuto. And none of those are happy, healthy relationships. Srsly.

Naruto's use of the -chan suffix with Sakura-chan is an endearing character trait, and an easy way to signal intended closenes: -chan is used exclusively from Naruto to Sakura and nowhere else in the manga. In fact, I don't think he ever calls her by just her name alone (I can't remember a time, but please correct me if I'm wrong.).

Does Naruto start right out calling her Sakura-chan? It would be interesting if he did - signaling that he already liked her from before the start of the manga.

edit: just reread the first few chapters. Yup, he called her Sakura-chan from the beginning, introducing her to the manga as "a very cute girl that I like a lot." *sweet*

Okay I seriously don't know what you're talking about Naruto would never call Hinata with the chan suffix because he has never had any interest in her he just calls her Hinata. You're right about Sakura calling Sasuke with the kun as a habit but before it became a habit she said it to him as a sign of respect.

However I like Sakura calling Naruto just Naruto because it means that she's more close to him than using a suffix for him like everyone else have previously mentioned before.

Exactly, it's right there in the manga, he never adds chan to Hinata's name because he never has had any romantic interest in her, only Sakura gets the chan suffix, because he does have romantic feelings for her.

Kun and chan have a different tone, even in the real world of Japan. Kun is a distancing respectful suffix (or vaguely insulting if used by an older adult male to a younger adult male- it's implying the older adult thinks the younger adult is acting childish)

Chan is an affectionate term, showing a close emotional bond between the speaker and the person being called "chan".