chan & kun

[esquimau]

hi! whats the differense between 4example Hoshino-chan and Hoshino-kun? Notice: Hoshino is 25 yo male driver from Nagoya )))

i mean why its possible to use both suffixes? i thought chan is female names' suffix...
arigatO

[kohana]

"Kun" is normally used by males among themselves, and sometimes by females talking to males. It's rarely used with females.
"Chan" is used by close friends, especially females, and when talking to someone quite a bit younger than you.
I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate, but those are the rules I typically go by. Anyone have anything to add to that?

[Harisenbon]

"Kun" is normally used by males among themselves, and sometimes by females talking to males. It's rarely used with females.

Kun can also be used by the older generation of men to refer to women of lower status, usually within a job setting.