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Writer's pictureRyo Hanazawa

The issue of first person pronoun in Japanese language


In Japanese, there are many kinds of first person pronouns. I heard that there are around 70 kinds of first person pronouns. Unfortunately, I didn't research all of those words though.


When you say “I” about yourself in English, in the case of Japanese,  we use “わたし watashi” or “わたくし”. These first person pronouns can be used by both males and females.


Then, what do you call yourself in the case of males? We have many kinds of these pronouns, this way.


ぼく 僕 Boku / おれ 俺 Ore / わし Washi / おら Ora / おいら Oira / じぶん 自分 Jibun


And, what do you call yourself in the case of females? Also we have many kinds of these pronouns, this way,


わたし 私 Watashi / あたし Atashi / うち Uchi / あたい Atai


And here in Japan, there is a first person pronoun which only the emperor can use. That is this.


ちん 朕 Chin


Of course, you can’t use this word yourself because you aren’t a Japanese emperor. And also there are many Japanese who don't know this word. Because this word is an old word.


Normally, Japanese use “Watashi” as a first person pronoun in public. If you come to Japan, please listen carefully to what they call themselves. Maybe, it would be interesting.



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