In Japanese, "watashi" is a first-person pronoun used to refer to oneself. In Japanese, the way "watashi" is expressed changes depending on the speaker and the situation. The way "watashi" is expressed differs for both men and women. Let's try expressing "watashi" in various situations in everyday life.
1. Watashi (I)
"Watashi" is the most commonly used first person pronoun among Japanese people. It is written in kanji as "Watashi." "Watashi" can be used by both men and women. Whether you are speaking to a superior or a child, you can refer to yourself as "Watashi."
Example sentences
I love you.
Watashi wa, anata ga daisuki desu.
I love you.
Example sentences
You are my friend.
Anata wa watashi no tomodachi desu.
You are my friend.
Example sentences
This is my wallet.
Kore wa, watashi no saifu desu.
This is my wallet.
"Atashi" is a casual way of saying "watashi." Pronounced "watashi" rather than "atashi," it gives a better impression to the other person.
2.I (watakushi)
"Watakushi" is used in a similar way to "watashi." "Watakushi" is written in kanji as "watashi," just like "watashi." "Watakushi" is a more polite way of saying "watashi." It is often used when speaking with someone older than you or in business conversations.
Example sentences
My name is Mariko Yamada.
Watakushi wa, Yamada Mariko desu.
I'm Mariko Yamada.
Example sentences
This is my business card.
Kochira wa ,watakushi no meishi de gozaimasu.
This is my business card.
Example sentences
I'm sorry, I was mistaken.
Mōshiwakearimasen,watakushi ga, machigae mashita.
I'm sorry. I made a mistake.
"Atakushi" is a casual way of saying "watashi." Pronounced "watakushi" rather than "atakushi," it gives the other person a more general and refined impression.
3. Boku
"Boku"is a first-person pronoun used mainly by men. Women rarely use "boku". Men, both children and adults, can use "boku" regardless of age. "Boku" is written in kanji as "boku".
Example sentences
My dream is to become a doctor.
Boku no yume wa, isha ni naru kotodesu.
My dream is to be a doctor.
Example sentences
My mom and dad are at home.
Boku no papa to mama wa, ie ni imasu.
My dad and mom are at home.
Example sentences
My phone number is 090-1234-1111.
Boku no denwabangō wa, 090－1234－1111 desu.
My phone number is 090-1234-1111.
4. Ore
"Ore" is an expression mainly used by men. Women rarely use it. "Ore" is not a polite way of referring to yourself as a first person, so it is often used in conversations with close family or friends. It is considered best not to use it in business situations when speaking with older people or superiors. "Ore"is written in kanji as "ore".
Example sentences
I live in Osaka.
Ore wa ,Oosaka ni sunde iru.
I live in Osaka.
Example sentences
I'm going to the hospital tomorrow.
Ore wa, ashita byōin ni iku.
I will go to the hospital tomorrow.
Example sentences
I love Ito-san.
Ore wa, Itō-san wo aishite iru.
I love Mrs. Ito.
5. Ore-sama
"Oresama"is a combination of "ore" (me) and "sama" (sama), and is an expression that conveys the speaker's arrogance. "Oresama" is often used by men when they want to appear strong to those around them. However, it is not appropriate to refer to yourself as "○○-sama," and it is not used in everyday conversation.
Example sentences
Can't you hear what I'm saying?
Ore-sama no iu koto ga, kikenai no ka!
Can't you hear me!
Example sentences
You have some nerve to defy me.
Ore-sama ni sakarau to wa ,ī dokyō da.
You've got a lot of nerve to disobey me.
Example sentences
I'm the greatest!
Ore-sama ga, ichiban erai nda zo!
I'm the greatest!
6. Washi(washi)
"Washi" is an abbreviation of "watakusi." It is used in some parts of Japan and by older men. In old Japanese movies, you often see people refer to themselves as "washi." It is not used in business. The kanji is written as "watakusi."
Example sentences
I am now 80 years old.
Washi wa, 80-sai ni natta.
I turned 80 years old.
Example sentences
I will give you all my possessions.
Washi no zaisan wa, zenbu omae ni yaru.
I'll give you all my property.
Example sentences
Aren't these my glasses?
Kore wa, washi no megane janai ka?
Aren't these my glasses?
7. Atai (Atai)
"Atai" is an expression that is a change in the pronunciation of "watasi." It evolved from "watashi"to "atasi" to "atai." A long time ago, it was often used by women in Tokyo's downtown area. Nowadays, it is sometimes used by characters in rakugo, period dramas, and manga. Modern women do not use it.
Example sentences
Because of you, my life is a mess.
Anta no sei de, atai no jinsei wa mechakucha dayo.
Because of you, my life is messed up.
Example sentences
This person is my dad.
Kono hito wa, atai no tōchan dayo.
This person is my father.
Example sentences
I'm from Tokyo.
Atai wa, Tōkyō kara kita nosa.
I'm from Tokyo.
8.myself
This is a way of referring to oneself simply as "jibun." It is an expression used by athletes, police officers, and members of the Self-Defense Forces to refer to oneself in a humble manner. "Jibun" is mainly used by men. It is not used in business situations.
Example sentences
I am a police officer.
Jibun wa, keisatsukan desu.
I'm a police officer.
Example sentences
I managed to arrest the culprit.
Jibun ga, han'nin wo taiho shimashita.
I arrested the criminal.
Example sentences
I just didn't try hard enough.
Jibun wa ,doryoku ga tarimasen deshita.
I didn't have enough effort.
In the Kansai region of Japan, the expression "jibun" is used to refer to the other person. If the other person is from Kansai, listen carefully.
9. Oira
"Oira"is the plural form of "ore". It seems to have evolved from "orera" to "oira". "Oira" is an expression that originally referred to multiple people, but in practice it is used to refer to oneself alone. The expression "oira" was originally a dialect used by men in the Kanto region. Nowadays, it is used by characters in manga and by celebrities on social media. However, "oira" is rarely used in everyday conversation, and is not used in business situations either.
Example sentences
You have two cars.
Oira wa, kuruma wo nidai motte iru.
I have two cars.
Example sentences
My hobby is fishing.
Oira no shumi wa, tsuri da.
My hobby is fishing.
Example sentences
My name is Hiroshi.
Oira no namae wa, Hiroshi tte iunda.
My name is Hiroshi.
10. Uchi
"Uchi" is a dialect used by women in the Kansai region. "Uchi" is used with family and friends. It is not used in business situations.
Example sentences
I like you.
Uchi, anta no koto sukiyanen.
I like you.
Example sentences
I want to eat okonomiyaki.
Uchi wa, oskonomiyaki ga tabetai.
I want to eat Okonomiyaki.
Example sentences
This is a photo of our house.
Kore wa, uchi no shashin desu.
This is my photo.
In Japanese, there are many ways to express "I." Let's practice male and female ways of saying it, as well as polite and casual ways of saying it. This time we introduced ways to express "I" in Japanese, but did you know that there are also many ways to express "you" and "we"?
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