Gatchamania.net - Print: Aniki or Oneechan - I'm confused

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--- Aniki or Oneechan - I'm confused (http://www.gatchamania.net/threadid.php?threadid=1114)

Posted by SJ_SwanJun on 03-07-2007 at 13:09:

Aniki or Oneechan - I'm confused

Hiya ... I'm pretty sure this question has been posed, but I couldn't find a thread for it.

I managed to snag me the 80's Astroboy series on DVD (YAAAAAY) ....

And I decided to watch it in Japanese - because I do love the Japanese language muchly ...

But I noticed something I don't quite follow.

Now, we know "Oneechan" means big sister, right? "Aniki" means big brother.

But Uran refers to Astro as "Oneechan" ...

Is it a gender thing? I watched the deleted scenes, and Daddy Walrus does tell Astroboy he is a very BAD Aniki ... But, as I said, Uran calls him Oneechan.

So I am wondering. Is it because she is a girl that she refers to him in that way? I know in most Asian cultures, the way you address someone is directly related to your gender and position within the family ... (Living in a Vietnamese family and being completely confused by the whole thing there has taught me that much - but the terms used are very different)

So please help me out on this one ...

Thankee ...

SJ

Oh and BTW: The Deleted scenes are a riot!! The one for "Uran's Twin" had me peeing ... It was actually the two of them singing about Uran ... LOL!

Anyway - back to work...

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Why do men snore when lying on their backs?
Because their balls fall over their butt holes and they vapour lock.

Posted by meridianday on 03-07-2007 at 14:11:

Apparently Oniichan/oniisan is masculine, whereas Oneechan/oneesan is feminine. But surely the pronunciation would be incredibly similar.

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Posted by SJ_SwanJun on 03-07-2007 at 14:37:

Meridian - Have I told you lately that I love you?

Thank you for clarifying that one for me...I will now cease my chuckling that Uran thinks Astro if a girl ... LOL!

SJ

__________________

Sighhh

Why do men snore when lying on their backs?
Because their balls fall over their butt holes and they vapour lock.