Japanese I and you pronouns

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Kirei na kimyou, Apr 24, 2003.

  1. Kirei na kimyou

    Kirei na kimyou New Member

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    I know there's many in japanese, so i thought i might ask which you know? And what do they mean? I know a couple myself, which is:

    I:
    Watashi - polite for men, casual for women)
    Atashi - strictly feminine)
    Watakushi - may be used by both but mainly used by women
    Ore - mascular pronoun, only used by men.
    Washi - rarely used to what i've heard...not really sure about what it is

    You:
    Anata - the most common pronoun. Used as an endearment when a woman speaks to her husband.
    Anta - strictly feminine speech
    Onore - rude pronoun, yet i haven't heard it much
    Kisama - can be openly assaulting
    Temee - rude, often translated as "You...!"
    Kimi - indicates direct ownership over the one spoken to. Also used when a boy refers to his girlfriend.
    Omae - many meanings. It can even be assaulting if you address someone you don't know with it.
     
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  2. Izzy

    Izzy moo. moo. moo!
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    Ya forgot "boku" for "I". Which is only slightly rougher than "Ore".

    As far as I know, "Kimi" also has the added effect of being able to be used exactly like "anata".

    /me shrugs.
     
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  3. Kirei na kimyou

    Kirei na kimyou New Member

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    Ah yes, i forgot boku. It's used mainly by young men. It's not really rude, but rarely used by older men.
     
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  4. Shadowbard

    Shadowbard Black-Winged Angel

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    Umm....hate to be a nag, but boku is actually more polite than ore. It is used mainly by men, although there are more women using it in Japan now. For example, Utena Tenjou from Utena uses boku instead of a more feminine form.

    In anime, when boku is used by women it signifies that they are more tomboyish than other girls.

    ~Shadrach Anki
     
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  5. Kirei na kimyou

    Kirei na kimyou New Member

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    how about yatashi? Another "you" pronoun?
     
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