How to say I in Japanese.

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sonia
9 years ago

I my be a girl, but I tend to use boku more. I don't see myself as a girly girl but a tomboy. I'm more comfortable with boku.

Joseph
Joseph
9 years ago

I suppose the word you use for "I" depends on the formal/informal situation, as you said.

As a male, I would use "watashi" for formal and "boku" for informal, however if I had to choose one version to use in both formal and informal context, I would use "boku", although knowing that this is incorrect. Each version has a use to help others understand your intentions and feelings, therefore I think it's best to not rely on a "one for all" approach when deciding which to use.

Sure You Can
Sure You Can
9 years ago

I would use watashi in formal and ore when informal.

Jed
Jed
9 years ago

I'm more masculine so I'm certain to use more Ore that Boku, but in keigo situations is better to use watashi in my opinion … a little hard for me to practice as I don't have anyone to speak, but I will try my best to learn, thanks Yuta-Sensei for your lessons

Lu
Lu
9 years ago

This is great! Actually, im from Argentina, but I can understand very well english. So, i practise english and learn Japanese.
And i would use "Watashi", because im a woman and i know it better 🙂
Thanks,Yuuta!

Shantal
Shantal
9 years ago

Judging from your body language, when you talk about yourself, you point at your chest. I've seen often Japanese people pointing at their nose/face instead. I am pretty curious as for why that is and how much it is used 🙂

Great lesson, thank you!

Aylmer
Aylmer
9 years ago

Thank you so much for the lesson. i'll definitely use "boku" for both situation. just feel right for me.

Yana
Yana
9 years ago

I'm female, so I'm just going to use "watashi" in both formal/informal. Great lesson, btw. Thank you for this.

Linus
Linus
9 years ago

I would use "boku" to close friends, and use the "word" to really close friends.

Adel
Adel
9 years ago

I use Watashi for formal and Boku with family and friends 🙂

Stephanie
Stephanie
9 years ago

I personally use 私 in general. When I'm speaking I tend to say あたし. I've seen うち being used in dramas before, but I didn't know it was used the same as "I" since I always saw it as うちのこと so I assumed it was like 自分 like "myself". Is うち seen as more childish/cute and so young girls use it or is it just a generation trend?

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

This is one part of Japanese that I don't really like (in contrast to the regular omission of pronouns, which is great). I'm female, but when I think in Japanese, it's always "ore". However, when speaking out loud, I know that would be weird so I say "watashi", but that feels so forced and unnatural for me.

Vanessa
Vanessa
9 years ago

Great video. Thanks for clearing it up. I used to be confused with boku and watashi, and I thought that boku was the more formal one. I'm glad I'm a girl so I won't have to worry about it. School makes it difficult to constantly study and revise Japanese, So your videos will help me until I can have more time again. Thanks a lot!

Shiro
Shiro
9 years ago

Since it's my first lesson, it's kind of hard for me to say which one I would use. For now I would probably use the different terms for the given situations in the video, in hopes that I don't make any mistakes. But, if I had to give an answer now, I think I would use Watashi when I meet new people or are in a job-related situation. Ore is something I might use with very close friends 🙂

José
José
9 years ago

I would use watashi if I'm talking to someone who I don't know, and boku for close friends.

Rodrigo
Rodrigo
9 years ago

As male gendered, I would use Watashi around work, when talking to professors, and those with a high title. With people I am comfortable and casual with I would use Boku.

Rebecca
Rebecca
9 years ago

I suppose, since I'm a woman, I'd use watashi all of the time in both formal/informal situations. I prefer to keep things on the simple side, so I guess that works for me.

Ceci
Ceci
9 years ago

I would use Watashi in both situations. 🙂

Devin
Devin
9 years ago

I'd most likely just stick to "boku," but I may use "watashi" during formal situations.

Estela
Estela
9 years ago

Than you so much for the video, Yuta! It's the first one I receive and it was very helpful, really! I have always wondered how it worked, because you usually read "watashi" for everything in books, but can hear different ways of saying it in doramas and anime. So thanks again! ☺☺

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