watachi/ watakushi/ boku/ ore… Let's express the first-person "I" in Japanese

“I,” which is “私” in Japanese, is a first-person word to describe oneself. In Japanese, the first-person word changes as the speaker or the scene changes. Both men and women use the first-person expression in different ways. Let's express "I" in Japanese in various scenes of everyday life.

１.　わたし(watashi)

“わたし” (watashi) is the most common first person expression used by Japanese people. It is written in kanji as “私.” Both men and women can use “わたし” (watashi). Whether you are talking to a superior or a child, you can refer to yourself as “わたし” (watashi).

Example

わたしは、あなたが大好きです。

Watashi wa, anata ga daisuki desu.

I love you.

Example

あなたは、わたしの友達です。

Anata wa watashi no tomodachi desu.

You are my friend.

Example

これは、わたしの財布です。

Kore wa, watashi no saifu desu.

This is my wallet.

The word “あたし” (atashi) is a casual expression of “わたし” (watashi). Pronouncing it as “わたし” (watashi) rather than “あたし” (atashi) will give a better impression to the other person.

2 .　 わたくし(watakushi)

The usage of “わたくし” (watakushi) is similar to that of “わたし” (watashi). The word “わたくし” (watakushi) is written in the same way as "私" in kanji. “わたくし” (watakushi) is a more polite way of saying “わたし” (watashi). It is often used when talking with older people or in business conversations.

Example

わたくしは、山田まり子です。

Watakushi wa, Yamada Mariko desu.

I'm Mariko Yamada.

Example

こちらは、わたくしの名刺でございます。

Kochira wa ,watakushi no meishi de gozaimasu.

This is my business card.

Example

申し訳ありません、わたくしが間違えました。

Mōshiwakearimasen,watakushi ga, machigae mashita.

I'm sorry. I made a mistake.

The word “あたくし” (atakushi) is a broken form of “わたし” (watashi). Pronouncing it as “わたくし” (watakushi) rather than “あたくし” (atakushi) gives a more general and elegant impression to the other person.

３.　ぼく(boku)

“ぼく” (boku) is a first-person expression used mainly by men. Women rarely use “ぼく” (boku). Men, both children and adults, of any age, can use “ぼく” (boku). “ぼく” (boku) is written in kanji as “僕.”

Example

ぼくの夢は、医者になることです。

Boku no yume wa, isha ni naru kotodesu.

My dream is to be a doctor.

Example

ぼくのパパとママは、家にいます。

Boku no papa to mama wa, ie ni imasu.

My dad and mom are at home.

Example

ぼくの電話番号は、090－1234－1111です。

Boku no denwabangō wa, 090－1234－1111 desu.

My phone number is 090-1234-1111.

４.　おれ(ore)

The word “おれ” (ore) is mainly used by men. Women seldom use “おれ” (ore). Since “おれ” (ore) is not a polite first person expression, it is often used in conversations with close family and friends. It is best not to use it when talking to older people, your boss, or in business situations. “おれ” (ore) is written in kanji as “俺.”

Example

おれは、大阪に住んでいる。

Ore wa ,Oosaka ni sunde iru.

I live in Osaka.

Example

おれは、明日病院にいく。

Ore wa, ashita byōin ni iku.

I will go to the hospital tomorrow.

Example

おれは、伊藤さんを愛している。

Ore wa, Itō-san wo aishite iru.

I love Mrs. Ito.

５.　おれさま(ore-sama)

The word “おれさま” (ore-sama) is a combination of “俺” (おれ) and “様” (さま), and is used to convey a speaker's domineering attitude. “おれさま” (ore-sama) is often used by men when they want to make a strong impression on those around them. However, it is not appropriate to refer to oneself as “○○様” and should not be used in everyday conversation.

Example

おれさまの言うことが、聞けないのか！

Ore-sama no iu koto ga, kikenai no ka!

Can't you hear me!

Example

おれさまに逆らうとは、いい度胸だ。

Ore-sama ni sakarau to wa ,ī dokyō da.

You've got a lot of nerve to disobey me.

Example

おれさまが、一番偉いんだぞ！

Ore-sama ga, ichiban erai nda zo!

I'm the greatest!

[日本のことが気になる？一緒に日本語を学びませんか？]

６.　わし(washi)

The word “わし” (washi) is an abbreviation of “私” (watakusi). It is used in some parts of Japan and by older men. In old Japanese movies, people often refer to themselves as “わし” (washi). It is not used in business. The kanji is written as “儂.”

Example

わしは、80歳になった。

Washi wa, 80-sai ni natta.

I turned 80 years old.

Example

わしの財産は、全部おまえにやる。

Washi no zaisan wa, zenbu omae ni yaru.

I'll give you all my property.

Example

これは、わしのめがねじゃないか？

Kore wa, washi no megane janai ka？

Aren’t these my glasses?

７.　あたい(atai)

“あたい” (atai) is a variation of the pronunciation of “わたし” (watashi). It changed from “わたし” (watashi) to “あたし” (atasi) to “あたい” (atai). A long time ago, women in downtown Tokyo often used it. Nowadays, it is sometimes used by characters in rakugo (traditional comic storytelling), historical dramas, and manga. Modern women do not use it.

Example

あんたのせいで、あたいの人生はめちゃくちゃだよ。

Anta no sei de, atai no jinsei wa mechakucha dayo.

Because of you, my life is messed up.

Example

この人は、あたいの父ちゃんだよ。

Kono hito wa, atai no tōchan dayo.

This person is my father.

Example

あたいは、東京からきたのさ。

Atai wa, Tōkyō kara kita nosa.

I'm from Tokyo.

8.　じぶん(jibun)

“じぶん” (jibun) is a way of referring to oneself. It is an expression used by people such as athletes, police officers, and self-defense officials, to refer to themselves in a humble way. The term “じぶん” (jibun) is mainly used by men. It is not used in business situations.

Example

じぶんは、警察官です。

Jibun wa, keisatsukan desu.

I'm a police officer.

Example

じぶんが、犯人を逮捕しました。

Jibun ga, han'nin wo taiho shimashita.

I arrested the criminal.

Example

じぶんは、努力が足りませんでした。

Jibun wa ,doryoku ga tarimasen deshita.

I didn't have enough effort.

In the Kansai area of Japan, the expression “じぶん” (jibun) is used to refer to the other person. If the other person is from the Kansai region, listen carefully.

９.　おいら(oira)

The word “おいら” (oira) is the plural of “俺” (ore). It seems to have changed from “俺等” (orera) to “おいら” (oira). The word “おいら” (oira) was originally used to refer to multiple people, but it is actually used to refer to one person. The term “おいら” (oira) was originally a male dialect in the Kanto area. Nowadays, it is used by characters in manga, or by celebrities on social networking sites. However, “おいら” (oira) is rarely used in daily conversation, and even in business situations.

Example

おいらは、車を2台持っている。

Oira wa, kuruma wo nidai motte iru.

I have two cars.

Example

おいらの趣味は、釣りだ。

Oira no shumi wa, tsuri da.

My hobby is fishing.

Example

おいらの名前は、ひろしって言うんだ。

Oira no namae wa, Hiroshi tte iunda.

My name is Hiroshi.

10.　うち(uchi)

“うち” (uchi) is a dialect word used by women in the Kansai region. “うち” (uchi) is used for family and friends. It is not used in business situations.

Example

うち、あんたのこと好きやねん。

Uchi, anta no koto sukiyanen.

I like you.

Example

うちは、お好み焼きが食べたい。

Uchi wa, oskonomiyaki ga tabetai.

I want to eat Okonomiyaki.

Example

これは、うちの写真です。

Kore wa, uchi no shashin desu.

This is my photo.

In Japanese, there are a number of ways to express "I." Let's practice male and female ways of saying it, and polite and casual ways of saying it. In this article, we introduced ways to express "I" in Japanese. Now, do you know that there are many ways to express "you" and "we" as well?

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