What is Watashi?

The Japanese word watashi is a genderless term that translates to “I” in English. Japanese language textbooks often suggest it as one of the best overall terms to use to describe yourself. Although it's a great term to use when all the other pronouns can be confusing, it's often seen as feminine.

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What is Watashi desu mean?

It is during this time that one can say, “Watashi wa (name) desu. (私は (name) です。)” This translates to, “My name is (name).” after which, one can proceed to provide other information about one's self.

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Is Watashi only for girls?

In formal or polite contexts, “watashi” is gender neutral. However, when it's used in informal or casual contexts, it is usually perceived as feminine. “Boku” is used by men and young boys. “Ore” is also used by men a lot.

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Should I use Boku or Watashi?

When meeting someone for the first time, you should use “watashi”. And when you have become somewhat close to them, you can use “boku”. Then when you have become very close to them, you can use “ore.” In a woman's case, “watashi” can always be used whenever, wherever and with whomever you speak.

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Can I use Boku as a girl?

BOKU is for males and KIMI is referring to a female and is equivalent to ANATA. However in some songs the girls use BOKU as you mentioned.

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Ask a Japanese Teacher! Should I be using WATASHI?

45 related questions found

Is senpai unisex?

?‍? Senpai (先輩、せんぱい)

As with "Sensei" is used interchangeably by sex, and does not necessarily follows the name. You might find it transcribed as "sempai". Its opposite is "Kohai/kouhai" but it is rarely used when talking to someone.

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Is Watashi unisex?

Watashi: 私 (わたし)

In formal situations, it's the safest choice and doesn't carry any gender nuances. In casual speech, however, わたし can give off a “feminine” feel, and it's typically only used by women. When men use it in a casual context — when talking with a friend or family — it'll sound stiff.

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What is Genki desu?

When someone asks you if you are genki – you can simply say – “genki desu.” – In English, the equivalent would be something like. “How are you?” – “I'm Good.”

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What do Japanese call themselves?

Nihon-jin (日本人) (Japanese people)

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What does Anata mean in Japan?

Anata (あなた) is the Japanese word for "you". Anata may refer to: Anata, a Japanese language second-person pronoun, sometimes used by married couples to refer to their partners.

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Is ore rude Japanese?

In Japanese there are very levels of politeness. The word ore is a informal way to say "I" usually used by men with people they are close with. For example kids in high school would use this when talking with friends.

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How do girls say I in Japanese?

The Feminine Pronoun: 私 (あたし) — Atashi

Although watashi is accepting of everyone, the pronoun atashi is primarily used by women. Japanese doesn't have helpful articles like the Spanish “el” or “la,” which can make learning about pronouns a little tricky. The vast majority of those using atashi are women.

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Can a girl say ore?

Saying ore in formal contexts is never appropriate, no matter your gender.

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What is Watashi no in Japanese?

WATASHI NO means "my" where the word WATASHI is made possessive with the possession particle NO. Then the KANOJO NO part means "girlfriend's" because the particle NO makes KANOJO (girlfiend) possessive.

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How do you say I love you in Japanese language?

The verb is aisuru (愛する), to love. And to say I love you in Japanese, you would say aishiteru (愛してる). Aishiteru is a gender-neutral term. So, to say I love you to a man, you'd say aishiteru yo, and to a woman, aishiteru wa.

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What is white and Japanese called?

Hāfu (ハーフ, "half") is a Japanese language term used to refer to a person ethnically half Japanese and half non-Japanese. A loanword from English, the term literally means "half," a reference to the individual's non-Japanese heritage. The word can also be used to describe anyone with mixed-racial ancestry in general.

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Why is Japan called Nippon?

In Japanese, “Nippon” is written as 日本. 日 means “Sun” or “Day” and 本 in this case represents “origin”. Chinese people called it so because Japan is located in the East and literally is in the direction where the sun rises (in other words, where the sun originates).

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What are the Japanese 3 types?

These three systems are called hiragana, katakana and kanji.

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What is Moshi Moshi?

Moshi moshi, or もしもし, is a common Japanese phrase that Japanese people use when picking up the phone. It's a casual greeting used for friends and family, like a “hello”, but in fact means something entirely different! In English, it literally means something more like, “to say to say”, or “I speak I speak”.

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What is Sumimasen?

SUMIMASEN has many different meanings: "I'm sorry", "thank you" and to get someone's attention. It might be confusing at first, but once you've used it for a while, it'll become second nature. When Japanese people say SUMIMASEN, they often bow in appreciation or apology. The angle reflects the depth of the emotion.

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Why do Japanese say eh?

Eh is used in writing to represent a noise that people make as a response in conversation, for example to express agreement or to ask for something to be explained or repeated. (同意して,説明を求めて)えっ!でしょう?

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What gender is Boku?

僕 (boku) carries a masculine impression; it is typically used by males, especially those in their youth. Japanese words that refer to other people are part of the encompassing system of honorific speech and should be understood within that context.

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Is it difficult to learn Japanese?

The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn by many English speakers. With three separate writing systems, an opposite sentence structure to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness, it's decidedly complex.

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What does Chan mean in Japanese?

Chan (ちゃん) expresses that the speaker finds a person endearing. In general, -chan is used for young children, close friends, babies, grandparents and sometimes female adolescents. It may also be used towards cute animals, lovers, or youthful women. Chan is not usually used for strangers or people one has just met.

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