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RadioKid (Offline)
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Yokohama, Japan
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07-26-2017, 01:52 PM

Unexpectedly, we have not so many variation of "you" in Japanese. Instead, we use names and titles in conversation like as "OKYAKU-SAMA:customer", "KACHO:section manager", "OKUSAMAsomeone's) wife", "YUKIO-SAN:yukio(given name)" or "YAMADA-SAN:yamada(family name)".

Or, one can omit the subject "you".

"ANATA" is standard for "you" like as "WATASHI" for "I".
"ANATA-TACHI" is for "you" as plural.

"ANTA" is shortened form of "ANATA" and often used by women in casual scene. It is not strange when a man uses "ANTA" but I (man) do not use "ANTA". "ANTA-TACHI" is also used for plural.

"KIMI" cannot be used in formal scenes. "KIMI" is casual like as "BOKU" for "I". Be careful When you use "KIMI" because "KIMI" implies you look down the listener.

But, "KIMI" is also used by boys in romantic mood. Only in romantic mood, "KIMI" involves respective implession.

"KIMI-TACHI" is also used for plural (not used in romanrtic mood).

"OMAE" is rude word used by man in casual mood. "OMAE" is more rude than "KIMI". To soften the rudeness, sometimes "OMAE-SAN" is used instead of "OMAE". "OMAE-TACHI" and "OMAE-SAN-TACHI" are used for plural.

"KIMI" and "OMAE" have lost respect to the listener while they had been words to respect the listener in very old days (over 1000 years ago).


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