Module 6.2 Culture notes
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When Japanese people talk about themselves, they would point at their noses signaling “I or me”.
However, in the US, people usually would point at their chest using an index finger or an entire hand. |
Note that there are several ways to say “I” depending on the context and the speaker’s gender, age, and level of familiarity with the listener. Here are a few of the common ways:
| 私 | watashi | The most common and neutral way to say “I” in Japanese. It’s appropriate for both formal and informal situations and can be used by anyone regardless of gender or age. |
| 僕 | boku | A more informal and masculine way to say “I.” It’s commonly used by younger men, but it’s also used by some women. It can sound cute or humble depending on the context. |
| 俺 | ore | A very informal and masculine way to say “I.” It’s commonly used by young men and can sound confident or arrogant depending on the context. It’s not appropriate in formal situations. |
| あたし | atashi | A very informal and feminine way to say “I.” It’s commonly used by young women, but it can sound cute or childish depending on the context. It’s not appropriate in formal situations. |
definition
わたし
ぼく
おれ