I've been studying Japanese on and off for quite a while though I've never had conversations in Japanese. As a guy, I think I would use watashi for strangers and boku for friends. As for this lesson, I thought it was very well explained–especially at the beginning when you broke down the usage of 'I' to be dependent upon 3 different things. A very nice summary and overview!
@Kristal I recommend boku with acquaintance friends (that are around your age), and ore with decently close friends. Some people think that using "watashi" for everything is best since it is the "safe" option from offending others. But to Japanese, nothing screams to them louder that you don't know Japanese that well if you can't adjust your use of the Japanese language to the appropriate social context. So using "watashi" with friends isn't recommended. On top of that, I've been told before by some Japanese people that they find it "cute" when foreigners speak overly casual (usually by accident) rather then when they are overly formal.
Well, not necessary "not recommended" at all. You can use わたし with friends too depending on the situation and what kind of friends you have. Using it all the time do is the safest. It is better to be not acurate than taking the risk of being rude… and "cute", if you have not the level to decide correctly wether use it or not, you better go with politeness. In that case it is never "too much".
We need to use watashi for formal conversation and Boku in informal conversation . Ore can be used in situations where you are speaking with your very close friends who will not get hurt .
Never had any confidence in my ability to read japanese well but I read and comprehended it in an instant, guess I'm happy that I found a more consistent way of learning than an app on my phone.
I would totally go for "ore", because it's more practical and fasttest to say "ore wa" than "boku wa" or "watashi wa", i kinda pronounce it like "Re-wa"
Watashi has a nice sound to it. I would use however Boku since I am a beginner and Watashi for formal langauge when I have a more advanced understanding of speaking japanese.
I think i will be using "watashi" sometimes and "boku" all the time and "ore" for my friends here in my place. But what if i use the girls way of saying "I" in Japanese like "uchi" would it be a bother?
I found this video really helpful. I am currently taking Japanese One at school and while boku was briefly mentioned, we only used watashi. The other options were never mentioned at school. In this video, everything was explained very clearly, not too fast and not too slow. I would probably use watashi in all cases though, just because I am used to it a lot more than anything else.
OK, so you explained pretty well when to use these words and how to pronounce them. This is great. What I still don't know, though, is what these words actually <em>mean</em> in Japanese (what particular <em>ideas</em> they cause in your head). And I noticed they are quite "structured", therefore their particular syllables must mean something, right? For example, "atashi", "watashi", "washi", "watakushi", "wai" – they all seem to have some syllables in common, just some other syllables thrown in in the middle or at the beginning. What do these syllables mean separately and when one combines them into these words?
Also, what does "desu ka" mean and why is it used only in formal context? Why is the trailing "u" in "desu" silent?
'u' is usually silent in 'desu'. Whenever you say 'desu' it's keigo, or formal/polite Japanese. Japanese society is quite hierarchical so people use different degrees of formal/politeness to acknowledge different social statues.
In vampire knight, an anime on of the guys used a type of "I" that was considered rude. Do you have any idea what it could have been and/or examples of rude ways to say "I".
I completely agree! I've been slowly teaching myself Japanese for the past two or three years and I would use Watashi. Seeing as it can be used politely and in formal situations, I would most likely use it when talking with strangers or when in a professional Space. It seems to be a very versatile phrase and I personally believe that as a man, I can use it in many situations.
Um, eh, sorry, but is using "boku" for girl very bad(rude?)? I just really dont like "uchi" or "atashi" and dont want to use "watashi" in non-keigo situations
I'm another Maria who would really like to use "boku". I can understand how it'd be really strange, but like, what if I was only to use it in really casual settings with close friends of the same age? Still unusual? (If so, I guess I'll get used to atashi……)
Thank you for the introductory lesson. Watashi or atashi is fine with me for keigo or non-keigo 🙂 I haven't heard how uchi is being used or maybe I'm not yet aware of this term prior to seeing this video.
The formal one I would use 私(watashi), like to write a letter or something official but, i might also use 僕(Boku) since I'm a guy.
The casual one I probably use both 俺(Ore)/僕(Boku) from time to time.
I've some questions for yuta-san too!
Do Japanese people still using the old words like 自分(jibun) or 吾輩(wagahai) to call them self?(the last one I was expected to be hear from old people, but do young people still you the 1st one nowadays?) and is it impolite to call strange people あなた, and how should I called them to be more polite?
When I was in Japanese 121 I learned watashi was the safe bet when in doubt so I think in most situations I will use watashi, but if I was talking to friends I would most likely use boku.
is it safe to say that would be my best bet?
You would use watashi when speaking formally, and using boku if you are speaking to friends or close acquaintances. You can also use boku when speaking formally.
I'm pretty sure this is how you say it as a male.
I hope I'm posting this correctly, I'm new to this site
I find it a bit difficult finding out what to use. I'm a transgender male who hasn't gotten into transitioning yet, and it is quite hard for me to pass as male most of the time because of my high pitched voice. I'm not sure if I should just use "Watashi" or if I could use "Boku"…
I would use watashi for both situations. it seems easier for women since its more common for them to use watashi in formal or informal situations :). great first lesson!
From this lesson, I learned that Japanese does seem a lot more complicated than English. But I am still determined to learn it!
So what I've learned is we should use Boku for informal conversations but it is possible to use boku for formal conversations as long as you add "desu" or "desu-ka".
When I started learning Japanese, my teacher told me to try to avoid to talk about "I" as much as possible. (As it would be impolite to always talk about oneself 😉 )
Just use the Watashi to present yourself, then leave it out as much as possible.
I have always been using 私 …
hmm well since watashi is accepted for both formal and informal situasions, and im a guy. i would try to use Watashi first, and see how it goes. if someone else told me i had to use something else, i would read up on that word and see if its correct. and then switch if it is correct.
As I'm a women, I use watashi in both situations (formal and informal).
My japanese roommate usually using uchi, when she is talking about herself. First time when I heard it I was confused. I thought i should use uchi too, because when I'm always saying "watashi" it sound weird probably. But now I know it's normal. Thank You! ありがとうございました。
I wold use Watashi in every situation since I'm a girl.
Also, I thought "Taeme" meant YOU! Because of anime XD
Great lesson
My first lesson with Yuta XD
I would say "私' for formal situations and '僕' for friends. But I would like to see how does '俺' work with friends, after all that the most used in manga, anime and some histories, など,
and that is acceptable but it kinda brings this manly, gangster sense in it.
i would follow the norm and use watashi when needed to be extremely polite to strangers and boku. but i feel that using boku in a very polite way to strangers is viable too as im sure that not a lot of Japanese citizens/people would be offended by it
same as anonymous_noob "watashi" for stranger or first meeting, as well as relationship start to get closer and gain confidence then it will be time to use "boku".
Not sure if I'm replying in the correct area, but here goes. Formal I would say "watashi", informal I would go with "boku". If the mood or formality of the situation changed I would (hopefully) adjust accordingly.
I've been studying Japanese on and off for quite a while though I've never had conversations in Japanese. As a guy, I think I would use watashi for strangers and boku for friends. As for this lesson, I thought it was very well explained–especially at the beginning when you broke down the usage of 'I' to be dependent upon 3 different things. A very nice summary and overview!
I would use "watashi" in both cases.
sorry wrong spot…
Hi
You would use boku in any situation.
Hi
@Kristal I recommend boku with acquaintance friends (that are around your age), and ore with decently close friends. Some people think that using "watashi" for everything is best since it is the "safe" option from offending others. But to Japanese, nothing screams to them louder that you don't know Japanese that well if you can't adjust your use of the Japanese language to the appropriate social context. So using "watashi" with friends isn't recommended. On top of that, I've been told before by some Japanese people that they find it "cute" when foreigners speak overly casual (usually by accident) rather then when they are overly formal.
But Kristal is a female so she shouldn't use "boku" or "ore" at all.
What if she identifies as male? 🙂
I am a male, so personally I would use 「私」in a formal situation, and 「僕」in more casual environment.
I would use "watashi" since I like to speak formally a lot, and since you recommended it.
Well, not necessary "not recommended" at all. You can use わたし with friends too depending on the situation and what kind of friends you have. Using it all the time do is the safest. It is better to be not acurate than taking the risk of being rude… and "cute", if you have not the level to decide correctly wether use it or not, you better go with politeness. In that case it is never "too much".
I actually love saying "Boku" in both formal or informal purpose.
nice explanation…. so I would use watashi when I meet somebody new, or introducing myself to sepai, bosses and elders….
We need to use watashi for formal conversation and Boku in informal conversation . Ore can be used in situations where you are speaking with your very close friends who will not get hurt .
thank you! your comment is very helpful.
domo arigato. watashi wa tina desu genki desu ka?
genki desu. watashi wa billy desu. (or were you asking yuta? lol)
i think ill say buko
why roumaji?
Konnichiwa watashi wa Reeyana desu genki desu
I think It is ; ogenki desu ka? ?
I am a female, and I will use watashi in both cases.
ありがとーございますせんせい！！
i mean boku sorry
Never had any confidence in my ability to read japanese well but I read and comprehended it in an instant, guess I'm happy that I found a more consistent way of learning than an app on my phone.
Yeah me to.
same its just really easy cus u wont offend many people
The ー is only used in katakana. If you wish to indicate a stretching of a pronunciation in hiragana you can use a small つ. Known as a ちさいつ.
Yes. I would use watashi too.
Same! I would use watashi for both cases because i am female
WabashI and achi
I would use watashi since I am a woman. You where asking if it was just for yourself talking?
I think I should use watashi for both cases
I would totally go for "ore", because it's more practical and fasttest to say "ore wa" than "boku wa" or "watashi wa", i kinda pronounce it like "Re-wa"
Watashi has a nice sound to it. I would use however Boku since I am a beginner and Watashi for formal langauge when I have a more advanced understanding of speaking japanese.
Would use boku in both senses .
I personally would use watashi in formal situations and boku in non formal situations like with friends or something
I am wondering, why use sore data shows. Is not sore telling someone you are talking about an object close to you but far from them?
I would watashi, atashi or watakushi.
I would if I wasn't a guy :3
Same
I'd use watashi in both formal and informal speech (I'm female)
Im used to 'Ore' can i use Ore for both?
No
thanks for your hard work for foreign people learning Japanese
Question in depth what is keigo? is just another way to say formal and non-keigo(non formal?)
Kegio is formal language. There's another article here on the use of keigo that would really help.
http://www.yutaaoki.com/blog/when-to-use-keigo-honorific-speech-hierarchy-in-japanese-society
Because I am a woman, i would use "watashi" in both cases 🙂
Thanks a lot for your lessons. really looking forward to watch more of youre japanese lessons 🙂
Same for me ^-^
I am a female, and I want to use watashi, because its more simple for me 🙂
I think i will be using "watashi" sometimes and "boku" all the time and "ore" for my friends here in my place. But what if i use the girls way of saying "I" in Japanese like "uchi" would it be a bother?
I would use watashi on keigo situations and ore on non-keigo situations
I found this video really helpful. I am currently taking Japanese One at school and while boku was briefly mentioned, we only used watashi. The other options were never mentioned at school. In this video, everything was explained very clearly, not too fast and not too slow. I would probably use watashi in all cases though, just because I am used to it a lot more than anything else.
hhmm i want to use "boku" because it's simple to say it 😀
Boku, definitely boku. Good definitive lesson, thanks.
Maybe i'll use "Boku" in both cases.
OK, so you explained pretty well when to use these words and how to pronounce them. This is great. What I still don't know, though, is what these words actually <em>mean</em> in Japanese (what particular <em>ideas</em> they cause in your head). And I noticed they are quite "structured", therefore their particular syllables must mean something, right? For example, "atashi", "watashi", "washi", "watakushi", "wai" – they all seem to have some syllables in common, just some other syllables thrown in in the middle or at the beginning. What do these syllables mean separately and when one combines them into these words?
Also, what does "desu ka" mean and why is it used only in formal context? Why is the trailing "u" in "desu" silent?
'u' is usually silent in 'desu'. Whenever you say 'desu' it's keigo, or formal/polite Japanese. Japanese society is quite hierarchical so people use different degrees of formal/politeness to acknowledge different social statues.
I would use (watashi) when talking to someone who I don't know and ( boku ) with friends and close family members
uchi sounds cute but is it more of a children's thing or could I get away with it, being in Highschool? I'd probably also use Atashi.
I would atashi aswell considering i am in highschool
In vampire knight, an anime on of the guys used a type of "I" that was considered rude. Do you have any idea what it could have been and/or examples of rude ways to say "I".
Rethinking what makes sense, he probably used a rude way to say "you".
Thank you for the lesson. 🙂
I have been studying jappansese for a while and learn that the word I can be left out so how do you know when you can drop the I ?
uchi is the cutest but i woud use watashi
Thanks, Yuta. This is great?
What about the variant _watakushi_? I've heard it used a few times. Is it old-fashioned?
I completely agree! I've been slowly teaching myself Japanese for the past two or three years and I would use Watashi. Seeing as it can be used politely and in formal situations, I would most likely use it when talking with strangers or when in a professional Space. It seems to be a very versatile phrase and I personally believe that as a man, I can use it in many situations.
i would like to use boku because i like how it sounds but i'm a girl. would it be strange if i used it anyway?
Yes, it would be pretty strange if you used 'boku' unless you are writing a song.
Um, eh, sorry, but is using "boku" for girl very bad(rude?)? I just really dont like "uchi" or "atashi" and dont want to use "watashi" in non-keigo situations
I'm another Maria who would really like to use "boku". I can understand how it'd be really strange, but like, what if I was only to use it in really casual settings with close friends of the same age? Still unusual? (If so, I guess I'll get used to atashi……)
Wait, but why is it okay if you're writing a song? I'm pretty sure I've heard a women refer to herself as Boku in a StereoPony song.
I'd rather use watashi in both situation. Well it depends watashi and atashi sounds the same tho.
I'd rather use watashi in both situation. Well it depends watashi and atashi sounds the same tho.
You'd sound like a tomboy.
I think i will use 僕 in both formal and informal situation
Thank you for the introductory lesson. Watashi or atashi is fine with me for keigo or non-keigo 🙂 I haven't heard how uchi is being used or maybe I'm not yet aware of this term prior to seeing this video.
I would use watashi. Thank You!
"Boku", it sounds easier to remember despite being shorter than "ore"
I would use watashi. Thank you for this very informative video:)
I would probably use Ore informally and Watashi Formally.
I would use watashi.
I would prefer watashi in both cases
by the way thanks for these lesson
My first video lesson! I'll keep watching more
The formal one I would use 私(watashi), like to write a letter or something official but, i might also use 僕(Boku) since I'm a guy.
The casual one I probably use both 俺(Ore)/僕(Boku) from time to time.
I've some questions for yuta-san too!
Do Japanese people still using the old words like 自分(jibun) or 吾輩(wagahai) to call them self?(the last one I was expected to be hear from old people, but do young people still you the 1st one nowadays?) and is it impolite to call strange people あなた, and how should I called them to be more polite?
Thanks for the lesson again! : )
Boku
When I was in Japanese 121 I learned watashi was the safe bet when in doubt so I think in most situations I will use watashi, but if I was talking to friends I would most likely use boku.
is it safe to say that would be my best bet?
Great lesson. One question, is the 'u' silent all the time, or just under certain circumstances?
No, the 'u' is not always silent. For example the 'u' sound at the end of boku is said but the 'u' sound at the end of desu is not.
I'm going to use Uchi in informal conversations forever now <_<
You would use watashi when speaking formally, and using boku if you are speaking to friends or close acquaintances. You can also use boku when speaking formally.
I'm pretty sure this is how you say it as a male.
I hope I'm posting this correctly, I'm new to this site
Hi
I would most likely use "Boku" in most situations, as it is easy to remember, though I think it would be a good habit to use others.
I would use watashi in both formal and informal situation. Also, really nice video, easy to understand and short.
i would use "watashi " formal
"atashi" informal
hehe :3
I'm a male so i would use "boku" or "ore" with informal and "watashi" or "boku" with formal.
konnichiwa Yuta San,
Watashi no namae wa Tammy desu
Ogenki desu ka
I like to use watashi in both cases as I am an older female and I like to be polite.
Arigatou gozaimasu
Thanks for the Lesson Yuta~sensei 😀
As it is easier to remember and I am female, I would use Watashi in both formal and informal situations. 🙂
boku but ore when i am showing off
I find it a bit difficult finding out what to use. I'm a transgender male who hasn't gotten into transitioning yet, and it is quite hard for me to pass as male most of the time because of my high pitched voice. I'm not sure if I should just use "Watashi" or if I could use "Boku"…
I'm also a transgender male and I would definitely prefer to use "boku", it just seems more appropriate to me.
But if I ever felt unsure, or that people would question, I would probably use "watashi", just to avoid the awkwardness.
I would use watashi
I would use boku for informal situations and watashi in informal situations.
Thanks for the video !
i Would use 私 in formal and 僕 since its a more polite casual word.
I would use boku like you. Because you can use it in almost any situation
I would use "watashi" in both formal/normal but sometimes informal I would switch it up.
I would use watashi for both situations. it seems easier for women since its more common for them to use watashi in formal or informal situations :). great first lesson!
I would use "boku" as it fits me a bit more. . .casual.
I use boku when conversing with friends and watashi when meeting new people.
From this lesson, I learned that Japanese does seem a lot more complicated than English. But I am still determined to learn it!
So what I've learned is we should use Boku for informal conversations but it is possible to use boku for formal conversations as long as you add "desu" or "desu-ka".
i´ll keep it easy, and say Watashi :3
boku and ore for me… depending on what attitude the person has…
I use watashi
I knew that "watashi", "boku", and "ore" were ways to say "I", but i did not know they were separated by gender specifications.
are there spaces in japanese?
I would use Watashi for both case
i would use "boku"
When I started learning Japanese, my teacher told me to try to avoid to talk about "I" as much as possible. (As it would be impolite to always talk about oneself 😉 )
Just use the Watashi to present yourself, then leave it out as much as possible.
I have always been using 私 …
this is really informative man! great job and thanks!
i prefer watashi and boku
I would use"watashi" in both formal and informal
I would use Watashi on Both cases, unless I am talking with a friend
Well i'm a guy so i think i'll use "boku" because its easier to pronounce and watashi in case of an older person adresses to me on a stranger
I am a women,so I would use "watashi"? Right.
hmm well since watashi is accepted for both formal and informal situasions, and im a guy. i would try to use Watashi first, and see how it goes. if someone else told me i had to use something else, i would read up on that word and see if its correct. and then switch if it is correct.
Would have been nice if he taught us how to draw the words though D:
I would use watashi in both cases and occasionally atashi.
I would use watashi on formal situation and boku on casual
As I'm a women, I use watashi in both situations (formal and informal).
My japanese roommate usually using uchi, when she is talking about herself. First time when I heard it I was confused. I thought i should use uchi too, because when I'm always saying "watashi" it sound weird probably. But now I know it's normal. Thank You! ありがとうございました。
I would use Watashi
I would alternate between 僕 and 私.
I would use 私 in both formal and informal situations.
僕ここに来ました
I wold use Watashi in every situation since I'm a girl.
Also, I thought "Taeme" meant YOU! Because of anime XD
Great lesson
My first lesson with Yuta XD
I would say "私' for formal situations and '僕' for friends. But I would like to see how does '俺' work with friends, after all that the most used in manga, anime and some histories, など,
and that is acceptable but it kinda brings this manly, gangster sense in it.
.i think i will use uchi with friends and watashi with poeple i'm unfamiliar and familiar with
I guess I'm gonna use 僕 when informal and 私 when formal.
As a woman, I will use 'watashi' in both situation.
i would follow the norm and use watashi when needed to be extremely polite to strangers and boku. but i feel that using boku in a very polite way to strangers is viable too as im sure that not a lot of Japanese citizens/people would be offended by it
I find ORE a lot easier to start. If I get any better I'll try to use boku.
I would use "watashi" for both formal and unformal situations
私 With meeting new People
僕 Friends
俺 When having drinks
I would use "boku" for both.
Formal would be watashi
Informal would be boku
For me
I would use "Boku" because it's much simpler and i wouldn't want to sound impolite while speaking
I would use "Boku" because it's much simpler and i wouldn't want to sound impolite while speaking
Both
Boku.
Boku
I would use watashi in both cases as well
same as anonymous_noob "watashi" for stranger or first meeting, as well as relationship start to get closer and gain confidence then it will be time to use "boku".
Well for informal situations I would use "boku" as its more comfortable to say. In formal situations, I would use "watashi".
What happens if you're gender neutral?
Ore or watashi depending on my mood.
Since I am male,I should use "boku" continuous when I would talk to friends who do live in Japan and "watashi" at work and for strangers.
I think I would use watashi since I'm a girl and its the easiest to write
I would use watashi in both situations.
Very formal video indeed, I'd use watashi with strangers and boku with friends and people I'm familiar with
I would probably use "Boku", especially since I'm learning.
Not sure if I'm replying in the correct area, but here goes. Formal I would say "watashi", informal I would go with "boku". If the mood or formality of the situation changed I would (hopefully) adjust accordingly.
Honestly, hm prob watashi for new people, boku with friends, and ore for fun XD
I'll use "僕(ぼく)" now.
I would use watashi in both cases.
I would use watashi.
Formal: Boku
Informal: Watashi
Sorry I meant to switch them around ?
Boku