Is the term oba-CHAN only used for aunts or even unrelated middle-aged women? or in this case we use oba-SAN?

6 comments

1. I think it’s okay to use おばちゃん to older woman in general. In a casual talk of course

2. Yes, but it’s overly familiar, so could easily sound insulting. Or make you sound like a pervert. I wouldn’t recommend using it that way yourself, at least if it’s not someone you’re quite close to.

3. In my experience, it depends on the relationship. Young children, especially the cheekier ones, use “chan” pretty freely when talking to elders they’re close with. Neighbors and family friends, etc. included.

4. I think only very small children could get away with it. I’ve never heard anybody say Oba-CHAN in 2 decades of speaking and living with Japanese, unless they were saying it VERY playfully as a joke.

   Take note, Oba-san actually has a slightly demeaning quality to it. It reminds women that they’re getting old…

   Personally I will only ever use it for a directly related aunt.

5. Why in 2022 are there morons saying they are reading anime? Touch grass dweeb

6. My sensei also taught me that some dialects use chan more then san