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Updated on
22 Apr 2019
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Question about Japanese
In Japanese, there are multiple words for "I" such as "watashi", "ore", and "boku", and multiple words for "you" such as "anata", "kimi", and sometimes "deme". What are the differences and common usages?
In Japanese, there are multiple words for "I" such as "watashi", "ore", and "boku", and multiple words for "you" such as "anata", "kimi", and sometimes "deme". What are the differences and common usages?
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- Japanese
- Japanese
Most common and natural usage for “I” is omitting the subject for Japanese. Multiple words like watashi as you mentioned are used when we want to make the subject of utterances clear or just for calling someone. Which word you use is your choice, but every word has some feelings. You can select them as you want someone think of you.
- Japanese
@So4Language watashi is very normal. Both men and women use. Ore is quite casual and is used by boys and men. Boku is also used by boys and men, but they can use it both casual and formal situations.
Anata is kind of formal. but if you want to say “you” in Japanese in daily conversation, it’s better to use ~~san, chan, kun (for example さくらさん) or just call the person’s name.
Kimi is not used so often.
Deme (maybe “teme”) is not really good expression.
- Japanese
(formal) watakushi > watashi > boku > ore (informal)
if you talk to a client, you should choose 'watashi'.
when you talk with friends, 'ore' is OK!
(formal) anata > kimi > omae (informal) > temee(have a fight!)
japanese feel rude to use the second person like 'you', so usually omit it. older or higher people may use it to younger or lower people.
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