Watashi… is not the only way to say “I” in Japanese?

Have you been learning Japanese, whether you’re at day 2 or day 1000? Then answer this:

How do you say “I” in Japanese?

This is not a trick question. So, did you answer, 私 (watashi)? Well, you’re not wrong! Actually, Japanese people not only use 私 (watashi) but they use a lot more ways to say “I”. In Japanese, there are many variations of the first person pronoun, “I, my, me, myself” in English.

In fact, I have seen a lot of Japanese learners only using わたし as their first-person pronoun. However, there’s more than just わたしin the list of first person pronouns in Japanese. In fact, most Japanese people use two or three of them. Therefore, if you want to speak like a native speaker and avoid possibly awkward situations, then keep reading!

Table of Contents:

Fun Fact:
Did you know that Sayaka sensei uses 4 different first person pronouns? You would have known if you watched this YouTube video!

Which “I” in Japanese Should I Use?

Before we begin, how do I know which pronoun to use? 

A single person uses several pronouns depending on:

• the relationship with the person you are talking to
• in what situation you are in
• your identity
• your age group or generation

Now, I will tell you all of the pronouns you could use. First, let’s start with the most common ones.

Pronoun #1: 私 / わたし “watashi”

Many of us will know this way to say “I” in Japanese. That’s because it’s the “very first” first-person pronoun introduced in most Japanese textbooks. And when you learn Japanese from a textbook, you start with formal speech. Then, watashi is used in formal situations, right?

Correct. You cannot go wrong with using 私 (watashi) in many situations – whether you are trying to converse in a store, approaching a stranger, or introducing yourself for the first time.

However, it can also be used in casual speech for women. On the flip side, a guy using “watashi” in casual speech can sound very feminine.

私はたかしです。(watashi wa Takashi desu)

I am Takashi.

Or a woman could say to their friends talking about a movie:

私もその映画見た！ (watashi mo sono eiga mita)

I also watched that movie!

私 / わたし “watashi” – Quick Summary

Formality: Both formal and casual
Gender and age: Used by both genders in a formal context but only by women in a casual context
Situations to use: business communication and interviews

Pronoun #2: あたし “atashi”

If you feel that わたし is a little too formal to use with friends, then this might be a good one to use – it’s a broken version of わたし. Due to it’s proximity to わたし (watashi), the pronoun is used more by women. In contrast, in the old days though, craftsmen and merchants in the Tokyo area used to use this. Because of that 落語家 (rakugoka) (traditional Japanese comic storytellers) refer to themselves using あたし(atashi) sometimes.

あたし “atashi” – Quick Summary

Formality: More casual than わたし
Gender and age: Used by young women most times today
Situations: In small talk situations with both younger and older people 

Pronoun #3: うち “uchi”

Although you may have heard of different uses of うち (uchi) before, this one may be familiar to you, if you watched 80s and 90s 少女アニメ – shōjo anime, shows targeted at a primarily female audience. 

Historically, うち (uchi) used to be used only around the Osaka area. From the 80s to the 90s, though, shows like うる星やつらのラムちゃん (utusē yatsura no ramuchan) became a national trend. In these shows, female anime characters used うち as their first-person pronouns, and it spread all over Japan.

The うち (uchi) pronoun is especially used by young girls who are in the middle of developing their identity, as it doesn’t sound as feminine as あたし or わたし.

うち “watashi” – Quick Summary

Formality: Casual
Gender and age: Young girls (primarily teenagers)
Context: Used by girls who do not want to sound too feminine or polite

While うち “uchi” as a first person pronoun is used with younger girls and women, the possessive form is used by both men and women when talking about their own family or business. For example, a father would say to his senior co-worker: 

うちの娘が小学校に入りました。
(uchi no musume ga shõgakkõ ni hairimashita)

Our daughter entered elementary school.

Pronoun #4: 僕 / ぼく “boku” 

If you are a guy and just read through the past two pronouns thinking this article isn’t for you, you are in good hands now.  ぼく (boku) is a very versatile, masculine first person pronoun. 

ぼく(boku) carries the image of a modest boy and therefore, carries a less masculine image than 俺 (ore). I, the author, love using this with older people in my social circles as it still shows the respect that 私 (watashi) has, without being too professional-sounding.

「僕がします！」(boku ga shimasu!)

I will do it! (for example, when asked to volunteer for something)

僕 “boku” – Quick Summary

Formality: Casual and semi-formal
Gender: Male
Contexts: when talking to your bosses and senior workers who are close to you, with strangers in non-business situations, and with friends.

When talking to little boys whom you don’t know, 僕 (ぼく) is used as “you” or the second-person pronoun:. You can read more about that in this blog post:

Pronoun #5: 俺 / おれ “ore”

A lot of you may have heard of 俺 (ore) from male characters in anime. However, I would be cautious of using this in certain situations. Because in fact, it sounds very masculine, also aggressive and cocky. Could you imagine calling an elderly stranger “dude” or “bro”? That’s how it sounds like. For example, someone could say in a romantic setting:

「俺と付き合ってよ」(ore to tsukiatte yo)
You should date with me.

Or a senior might say to their younger peers in a scolding situation:

「俺の話を聞け！」 (ore no hanashi wo kike)
Listen to me!

俺 “ore” – Quick Summary

Formality: Casual
Gender: Male
Situation: Used when speaking to someone close in casual setting (people in the same age group and younger)

History of the pronoun: 俺 (ore)

The history of this way of saying “I” in Japanese started in the Kamakura era, (1185 -1333) when it was used as a second person pronoun. However, it adapted into a first-person pronoun as time passed, regardless of their gender and social status. By the Meiji era (1868 – 1912), women started using this less, giving it the masculine image.

Pronoun #6: 自分（じぶん)

Ever heard of this word? Maybe you might have heard of this word being used in the context of “by myself” or “by yourself”. However, 自分 (jibun) has a prominent history of use as a first-person pronoun.

The first person pronoun 自分 (jibun) was used in the imperial Japanese Army in the 1910s, giving it a disciplined impression. That manner, during and after the war, was brought into the school sports scene, where discipline and mannerism were strictly reinforced.

自分 “jibun” – Quick Summary

Formality: Casual to semi-formal
Gender: Both male and female
Context: Used to sound less arrogant or cocky, while showing a disciplined impression

Quick Fun Fact: You will hear this a lot in the Kansai area (around Osaka). However, it is used as a second person pronoun – to address others involved in a conversation.

Pronoun #7: わたくし (watakushi)

Next, let’s talk about how to show respect. わたくし (also written 私 like the first pronoun, watashi) is often used in making a formal or personal announcement such as…

「私事で恐縮ですが…」(watakushigoto de kyōshuku desuga…)

I’m sorry to interrupt with something personal but… (during a business meeting)

「私事ですが…」(watakushigoto desuga…)

It is something personal, but… (to announce in front of many a life event such as marriage, child-birth, or moving to a different place)

「私、田中たけしと申します！」(watakushi, tanaka takeshi to moushimasu) 

I am, Takeshi Tanaka. (a way of humbly introducing yourself, often heard in political campaign speeches)

わたくし (watakushi) – Quick Summary
Formality: VERY formal
Gender: Both men and women
Situations: Used when making interruptions in business settings and announcements based on personal affairs

Saying “I” in Japanese: Mini Quiz

Check: How many did you get correct? Leave your answer in the comment.

Just using 私/わたし (watashi) for saying “I” in Japanese can feel odd in certain situations, and you certainly will hear more than just わたし when you talk with Japanese people.

Ready to learn more?

Today you learned how to talk about using first person pronouns in Japanese. Now you can enjoy conversations both formal and casual and refer to yourself in the best way possible. However, have you…

• Ever thought of learning Japanese, but have no access to classes?
• Learned Japanese, but want to speak more?
• Given up on speaking Japanese before?
• Been tired of your unmotivated classmates?
• OR are you UNMOTIVATED to study Japanese?

Then you should check out Sayaka’s Beginners Japanese lessons! With engaging weekly lessons covering task-based conversation practice, kanji, grammar for different situations, and useful phrases, you will for sure fall in love with all the fun and warmth you will experience in Sayaka’s class. Check her 101-104 level and 201 classes out here!

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