How to Say 'I' in Japanese (2023)

FAQs

How many ways do Japanese say I? ›

There are over 100 ways to say “I” in the Japanese language.

Because depending on your age, sex, class, time period, personality, job, role in society, family role, the way you use I is different. Let's begin. I've broken them down into categories.

When meeting someone for the first time, you should use “watashi”. And when you have become somewhat close to them, you can use “boku”. Then when you have become very close to them, you can use “ore.” In a woman's case, “watashi” can always be used whenever, wherever and with whomever you speak.

If you are a girl, I advise you against using "ore" as a first-person pronoun. It is for "boys," and even among "boys," it's used very informally, by boys who want to sound "macho," "tough, or "important," it can come across as very arrogant.

The first-person pronouns (e.g., watashi, 私) and second-person pronouns (e.g., anata, 貴方) are used in formal contexts (however the latter can be considered rude). In many sentences, pronouns that mean "I" and "you" are omitted in Japanese when the meaning is still clear.

Boku is for male use only. Men talking among themselves will use it or men addressing female persons will do so, too. Please note, however, that its use is limited to informal settings, such as family or friends. Watashi is for more general use: by men in formal situations, by women in formal and informal situations.

As mentioned above, the formal version of watashi is watakushi. The same can also be done with the feminine pronoun atashi. Atakushi is the more formal and polite way of using atashi. Similar to watakushi, it's uncommon to hear atakushi used during informal settings outside of anime or manga.

By far the most common way to say “I” in Japanese is with the word 私 (watashi). This word is gender-neutral which means that both men and women use it. It is also considered polite, which accounts for the many different situations in which it's applicable.

The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn by many English speakers. With three separate writing systems, an opposite sentence structure to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness, it's decidedly complex.

Because they serve different purposes. Hiragana and Katakana are syllabaries, while Kanji is logographic. Kanji is used for the basic meaning of words. Hiragana is used for things like particles, conjugations, prepositions, etc.

Informal “you”: 君 （kimi）: used by men toward people of lower status. Typically not rude. (not inherently formal/informal, but makes the status hierarchy explicit, and is therefore better suited to formal situations)

Is Boku wa rude? ›

Boku: Polite, Sophisticate, Humble You can use it among your friends but they may feel you are too polite. It is appropriate word to a person who you meet at the first time.

“Ore ha” 俺は (pronounced Ore wa) was originally used by samurai, and implies that one is superior. It comes across as incredibly arrogant in post-Meiji era Japan.

"Watashi" is gender neutral, and either gender can use it. Foreigners, unless they're pretty confident with language and familiar with Japanese, they're talking to, are usually encouraged to use "watashi". That's considered polite. Females can also use "atashi" (without "w"), it's a usual female pronoun.

Boku no namae wa translates into- My name is… The term Boku is usually used by boys to address themselves while expressing something, asking, and in conversations. Hope this answer seemed appropriate to you!

boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning 'I' in Japanese. Normally, this is used by boys and young males in casual situations.

The Japanese suffix -san is polite, but not excessively formal. It can be broadly used to: Refer to anyone you don't know, regardless of status or age. Address equals of the same age.

watashi no – 私の (わたしの) : a phrase meaning 'my' in Japanese. Depending on the situation and context, it can also be used to mean 'mine'.

How to Say 'How do you say this in Japanese?' - YouTube

By far the most common way to say “I” in Japanese is with the word 私 (watashi). This word is gender-neutral which means that both men and women use it. It is also considered polite, which accounts for the many different situations in which it's applicable.

The Feminine Pronoun: 私 (あたし) — Atashi

Although watashi is accepting of everyone, the pronoun atashi is primarily used by women. Japanese doesn't have helpful articles like the Spanish “el” or “la,” which can make learning about pronouns a little tricky.

Can girls use Boku? ›

Boku is for male use only. Men talking among themselves will use it or men addressing female persons will do so, too. Please note, however, that its use is limited to informal settings, such as family or friends. Watashi is for more general use: by men in formal situations, by women in formal and informal situations.

In general, the pronoun “私(watashi)” can be used in every conversation. It may sounds not that formal in the business scene, but none would criticize it is wrong. On the other hand, it may sounds too formal when you talk to your friends, but it is not incorrect, either.

What does desu mean? Desu is a polite Japanese linking verb meaning “to be” as well other forms of the verb. Western fans of anime and manga sometimes add it to the end of sentences to sound cute and imitate Japanese.

boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning 'I' in Japanese. Normally, this is used by boys and young males.

When Japanese people explicitly state “you” in their sentences, it's proper to use the person's name and attach a suffix. You are probably already familiar with “～san”, which is a polite suffix. If you use “anata” with someone who you know, it is rude.

The Japanese suffix -san is polite, but not excessively formal. It can be broadly used to: Refer to anyone you don't know, regardless of status or age. Address equals of the same age.

Ore wa is an expression men use to mean “I,” and Naru is “become.”

watashi no – 私の (わたしの) : a phrase meaning 'my' in Japanese. Depending on the situation and context, it can also be used to mean 'mine'.

Most, but not all, bokukko are tomboys, and not all tomboys are bokukko, as the term revolves solely around the use of the pronoun "boku". While the use of boku most often signals tomboyishness, it can sometimes signal some other situation, such as not knowing correct societal behavior, or lacking polite speech.

“Anata あなた (You)” is a great word to use when addressing a stranger. It's a pretty formal way to address someone, but it also puts that emotional distance of “I don't really know you” between you and the person you're addressing.

Is Boku rude? ›

Boku: Polite, Sophisticate, Humble You can use it among your friends but they may feel you are too polite. It is appropriate word to a person who you meet at the first time.

BOKU is for males and KIMI is referring to a female and is equivalent to ANATA. However in some songs the girls use BOKU as you mentioned.

The so-called "third person" in a Japanese (or East Asian for that matter) sense isn't the same as using "he" or "she" to talk about oneself, however. In fact, the "third person" for Japanese people stops at only using one's own name to substitute first-person pronouns (watashi, ore, boku, etc.).

彼 is a third-person pronoun used for males, like "he" in English, and 彼女 is the female version, like "she" in English.