Oba-san: Difference between revisions

Japanese word for one's aunt or, by extension, any middle-aged woman. Can also have [[Honorifics]] other than -san, though -san is by far the most common. When a character in her late 20s or early 30s is called '''oba-san''', she is likely to become flustered or smack the person who referred to her as such, depending on temperament. (Cf. [["Ma'am" Shock|Ma'am Shock]].) She may ask to be called by her name instead, or to be called onee-san (meaning older sister, or a woman who is older than oneself but younger than middle age). The male version is ''oji-san'' ("uncle"), whilst ''oyaji'' is used for significantly older males and is considered somewhat rude (like calling a middle-aged man "gramps").

 

 

Contrast [[Honorary Uncle]], which generally indicates a closer relationship.

 

== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==

* In ''[[Love Hina]]'', Urashima Keitaro calls his cousin Haruka "oba-san" and gets smacked each time he does so, with an admonition to call her "Haruka-san". ([[All There in the Manual|Information external to the program]] indicates that Haruka was formally adopted by Hina Obaachan, and thus in a legal sense is technically Keitaro's aunt, though she is biologically his cousin.)