There are many how to say "I" in japanese.
There are many how to say "I" in japanese.
I supplemented it only a little because a very appropriate explanation had been written in a certain website.
私[Watash] :
The most commonly known way to say "I".
Many would think that this is the only way.
Far from it, I assure you.
While it's true that watashi closely reassembles the English "I", it bears much more meaning then one might think.
If spoken by a man, watashi sounds formal, so as to show respect to the person you are talking to.
Although you might think to use it to talk to a friend would be appropriate, watashi might sound like you don't consider this person a close friend, more like an acquaintance.
The opposite also holds true, would you use a normal common formal word to speak to a high ranking superior?
Unless you don't care about etiquette, I'd say no.
So how can you use watashi?
Use it to talk to someone of similar rank whom you do not know much about, to show him your honour, while not lowering yourself too much.
In Rokugan watashi would be commonly used by all, a Phoenix meeting a minor crane delegate would most probably use it.
A Crab trying to sound polite might use it to talk to a superior of an other clan....
The content written in this website is very adequate though there are some error margins.
The existence of such a website is very useful for me that English is unskilled.
I prepared the table of the content of the web page.
Oneself |
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watashi/watakushi |
Watakushi: |
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俺 [ おれ ] ore |
Ore: Yet again, a man only word. The most casual way to talk to a friends, but ore is very masculine, and slightly rude/egotistical. To use ore in a conversation shows that this conversation is very relaxed, and that the person you are talking to is a good friend. |
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僕 [ ぼく ] boku |
Boku: Boku is more masculine. It is polite and casual at the same time and should be used only in such situations. One would not use boku in a very formal meeting, as boku is too kind for such meetings. Also one would not use boku in a very casual conversation with close friends or with one's wife. Use it with people of similar status as for you to sound polite yet friendly, and not to elevate yourself over your peers. An other use for this word is by little boys (or when talking to them). Boku has a little bit of a "mama's boy" sound to it for that reason it is a very common way for boys to say "I" and also explains why you shouldn't use it in very polite meetings. |
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あたし atashi |
Atashi: A woman only word (though also used by gay men). Probably the most commonly used "I" for women. Atashi is more feminine and casual. For a woman to use it with you would means that she considers you a friend and that this conversation in no way is business related. |
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うち uchi |
Uchi: Uchi is a word in the Kansai area in Japan, this is a word that the woman uses. Uchi isn't considered very polite. |
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わし washi |
Washi: This one is reserved for the elderly. There is a Japanese young person who uncommonly uses washi. They are men in the Kansai south of Japan. In a formal business situation one would still use the more polite "I" covered previously. |
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拙者 [ せっしゃ ] sessha |
Sessha: The "I" of the samurai. Just by saying sessha you imply that you are a man of war, a warrior. This often would be used by Samurai, Ninja and such. The very pronunciation of this word brings an atmosphere of battle and war. |
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小生 [ しょうせい ] shousei |
Shousei: As the word implies, when you say Shosei you are stating that what you are saying is your opinion but that your life is small compare to the person you are talking to, so what you say may not be as wise as his/her honourable long life. |
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