Table of Contents
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Notes on Japanese terms
      1. Japanese name order
      2. Romaji
      3. Some common honorifics and suffixes
      4. Food
      5. Random terms/phrases

Notes on Japanese terms
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1. Japanese name order

Japanese put the family name first, followed by the person's given name. For
example, the protagonist is Emiya Shirou. This means his family's name (or
"last name") is Emiya. His "first name" in Western order would be Shirou. We
decided to go with the Japanese name order. Why? Just because.

It isn't uncommon for people to refer to others using only their family name.
For example, Matou Shinji uses "Emiya" to refer to Shirou.

2. Romaji

Romaji is just the term used to describe how one would write Japanese using the
Western alphabet.
Tips on pronunciation (using U.S. English pronunciation):

a = hot
i = heat
u = hoop
e = head
o = hope

If you see two vowels next to each other, like in "Nii-san", it means the sound is
"extended". You would hold the vowel sound twice as long as usual. In Japanese,
that will change the meaning.

3. Some common honorifics and suffixes

I mentioned about levels of formality and all that. One of those ways is by use of
honorifics. In English, we have Mr., Mrs., and Ms., for example. In Japanese, they
have a lot more titles. Here's a quick list of the ones used in the game.

   -san
The suffix -san, such as "Smith-san" is a generic word for Mr./Mrs./Ms.
It implies some level of formality or distance between the speaker and the person
referred to. For example, Taiga refers to Rin as Tohsaka-san. She calls her by her
last name because she isn't exactly close to Rin, and tacks on the "-san" for added
formality. On the other hand, she just calls Shirou by his given name, "Shirou".

   -sama
This is a much more polite term than "-san", and is reserved for people of a higher
status. This status could be based on relationship (i.e. a store clerk and a
customer). An expansion of this is "Ojou-sama", which translates roughly into
"Lady-sama". This is typically used when the master is female. For example, Sella,
one of the maids, calls Ilya Ojou-sama because Ilya is her master.

   -kun
This is a term generally reserved for males and those of a lesser standing.
It is also more "familiar" term, so it may be used as a term of endearment for a
younger person within an organization.

   -chan
This is a term generally reserved for younger females. It can denote a closer
relationship between the speaker and the one referred to.

   Onii-chan, Nii-san, Onii-san, Nii-chan, Ani, Aniki
These are all terms for "older brother". Depending on the suffix, it can be more
or less formal.

   Onee-sama, Nee-san, Onee-san, Nee-chan, Ane, Aneki, ...-Nee.
These are all terms for "older sister", but is also used when you address someone
older and very close to you. As with the above, varying levels of formality. Shirou
calls Taiga Fuji-Nee because Taiga is older than him and very close to him.

   Senpai
This is a term to refer to a senior in your organization. This could mean many
things. In a karate class, it could be someone of higher rank. In school, it could
be an upperclassman.
   Sensei
Sensei literally means "teacher", so it is a term reserved for teachers. But it
also can be used for people you respect greatly. In a sense, these people could
probably be considered as teachers outside of the strict academic sense. Doctors
are also referred to as teachers. In other words, it's a term with a lot more
loaded meaning than simply "teacher".

4. Food

   Taiyaki
This is a fish-shaped, waffle-like sweet, usually filled with red bean paste.

   Takoyaki
This is a dumpling containing octopus.

   Kani-tama
This is a dish of rice with crab-mixed omelet and sauce.

   Okonomiyaki
A dish containing batter and many other ingredients. Usually eaten as the main
dish without rice.

5. Random terms/phrases

   Shouji
These are the paper doors that you see whenever you think of a Japanese house.

   Tatami
Tatami are the traditional straw mats you see whenever you think of a Japanese house.

   Itadakimasu
This is like a prayer said before eating to give thanks for the meal.

   Buruma
This is the romanized version of (athletic) bloomers. I used this version of the
spelling to keep the Japanese feel.