The use of 'watashi' in Japanese

[koekoeka]

Hello guys!

I have a question for you. Trouble (Thats a JF member) told me that you shouldnt use 'watashi' in Japanese alot but I dont really know why and when. Could somebody explain that to my?

Thanks already!

Koekoeka

[Ronin4hire]

Yeah he's sort of right. Watashi is usually omitted and to do so would make your Japanese more natural. But it's not incorrect to use it.

[Keaton421]

Saying watashi seems a bit informal. If you're a male, you can use "ore" or "boku" (my girl says boku sounds nicer somehow, if you're trying to decide).

But generally, saying "I" is implied in Japanese, so you don't need to say it.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by koekoeka

Hello guys!

I have a question for you. Trouble (Thats a JF member) told me that you shouldnt use 'watashi' in Japanese alot but I dont really know why and when. Could somebody explain that to my?

Thanks already!

Koekoeka

Japanese and English are very different languages. English speakers feel natural expressing the subjects of sentences, even when the subject is obvious. That is just how English is. That is why it is hard to imagine that NOT saying "I" or "you" as often is possible in communication.

When you can assimilate this concept into your thinking, it is one of the first of many plateaus in the mind-expanding experiences you will go through when learning Japanese.

To reverse things, a Japanese person just learning English will wonder "Why do I need to say 'I' and 'me' so much, when it is obvious I am talking about myself?"

In Japanese we do not say "I am hungry" we just say "hungry" as it is obvious that you are the person that is hungry, or else you wouldn't have said anything.

[Hatredcopter]

Originally Posted by Keaton421

Saying watashi seems a bit informal. If you're a male, you can use "ore" or "boku" (my girl says boku sounds nicer somehow, if you're trying to decide).

But generally, saying "I" is implied in Japanese, so you don't need to say it.

I think you got it reversed. 'Watashi' is rather polite, while 'boku', and especially 'ore' are informal. Most Japanese I've talked to seem to feel that saying 'boku' is a bit childish, whereas 'ore' should not be used except among guys of the same age group (usually younger guys).

And as far as the usage of watashi, MMM has it right... it's unneeded in most sentences (more so in spoken language than written), and it sounds unnatural if used to much. While we're on the subject, try not to use 'anata', either - the "proper" uses for anata are rather limited, and you'll rarely hear it in spoken Japanese.

[GregFromScotland]

Watashi: formal
Watakushi: really formal for guys
atashi: high school girls butchering japanese
boku: a boy saying it
ore: a manly casual way to say it

[Keaton421]

Originally Posted by Hatredcopter

I think you got it reversed. 'Watashi' is rather polite, while 'boku', and especially 'ore' are informal. Most Japanese I've talked to seem to feel that saying 'boku' is a bit childish, whereas 'ore' should not be used except among guys of the same age group (usually younger guys).

Ack, I did say watashi was informal, didn't I? Bad typo, I need sleep

[Wasabista]

Good post by MMM! In Japanese you can leave out subjects, objects and indirect objects that are obvious. (and sometimes NOT obvious, which is a problem in translation)

But if you DO use the word for "I" there are huge variations based on politeness, status, sex and region. It's a lot of fun actually.

One word (apparently from Kyushu) for "I/me" (male, casual) is "oidon." This is fun for me because my name is Don.

So a buddy of mine calls out, "Oi, Don!"

I reply, " 'Oi, Don', 'tte...oidon?"

(Well I thought it was funny...sorry.)

[koekoeka]

Originally Posted by Wasabista

Good post by MMM! In Japanese you can leave out subjects, objects and indirect objects that are obvious. (and sometimes NOT obvious, which is a problem in translation)

But if you DO use the word for "I" there are huge variations based on politeness, status, sex and region. It's a lot of fun actually.

One word (apparently from Kyushu) for "I/me" (male, casual) is "oidon." This is fun for me because my name is Don.

So a buddy of mine calls out, "Oi, Don!"

I reply, " 'Oi, Don', 'tte...oidon?"

(Well I thought it was funny...sorry.)

Lol, that's kinda funny indeed
Btw: You guys are like fast-reply people or something
And I thank you all about caring about this question!

[chryuop]

I have a question about "you".
You know, every grammar book of Japanese says the same things posted in this thread about the use of I and you. I read in the past that あなた can actually be kinda impolite for how redundant it can sound. Thus a big use of it can become, not offensive, but annoying.

I write a lot back and forth with a Japanese guy and I noticed that sometimes (when he needs to use the pronoun you) he uses あなた and sometimes he uses ジジさん or ジジさんの instead of your (that is my real name). I started using it too (you know...we learner are very copycat ) tho I don't know if this use is formal or if there are only certain occasions when you can do it...any explanation?