Nuances of Japanese First-Person Pronouns

Japanese has many first-person pronouns, and each of them has its unique nuance and feeling. Japanese people use different pronouns based on their personality, characters, gender or relation to the person they are talking to. But many foreign learners of Japanese just stick to the most simple わたし pronoun. But you don't have to! Maybe there are other pronouns that suit your personality better than わたし. In this video, you can learn about the most common first-person pronouns in Japanese, and pick the one you like. It will also help you to understand what other people (or fictional characters) are trying to convey with their choice of a pronoun.
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00:00 Intro
01:05 Watashi
02:23 Watakushi
03:15 Atashi
04:15 Atai
04:56 Boku
08:18 Ore
09:14 Ora
10:05 Washi
10:35 Ware
11:16 Intermission
11:40 Own name
12:43 Own name + chan

[@kanamenaito]

Let me explain a pronoun that is often used. I forgot to mention it. 「じぶん（自分/flat tone）」is a pronoun used mainly by men, it carries very humble feeling. 自分 is used by men who are in a community/club/organization that has strict hierarchical relationship, like in 部活(sports club in junior/high school, University) or in 自衛隊(Self-Defense Forces). So referring to yourself with 自分 can give humble feeling but at the same time it gives people that you might be a person who belongs/belonged to a strict military-like hierarchical community. In Japanese, people often say the pronoun 自分 gives 「体育会系」feeling. 「体育会系」refer to a person who engage or engaged in sports activity. That is because in Japan sports clubs in school often have very strict hierarchical relationship among 先輩(older/senior) and 後輩(younger/junior), that resemble that of military.

[@systud2786]

日本語ならではの敬語システムとかに苛まれていますが、できれば、ちゃんと皆さんに解説すればいいんです。

[@shadowllght]

「自分」って関西／大阪では結構普通に使われてませんか？男女関係なく

[@notuxnobux]

There was an episode of detective conan where this was important to the plot. A character used "jibun" and a foreigner thought that he was saying "I" but the person that said it was from osaka so he meant "you", since in osaka dialect it can mean both "I" and "you".

[@3chmidt]

I also know the pronoun わたらし

[@iluvcat]

I swear to god kanji and Chinese are so similar, but I guess they have different pronunciations

[@KirroSoya]

“If you refer to yourself using name plus Chan, it’s disaster” I’m laughing so hard

[@angeldude101]

Sounds perfect! Fits right alongside "ware."

[@sashap.9232]

Literally subscribed after hearing that part lmao

[@Khaled.003]

Been there bro Accidentally said my name with san in a interview lmao 🌚

[@rotteegher39]

@@angeldude101 Now try to combine them in one sentence... xD

[@angeldude101]

@@rotteegher39 I'm personally curious how _chaotic_ trying to use "ware-chan" would be, and if it's actually grammatically valid.

[@Agent_Eli]

This really helped me understand something new about one of my favorite music groups. I used to think 俺スカバンド (Oreskaband) was kinda a boring name for an awesome band. It just means directly “we are a ska band”. But it turns out that the choice to use “ore” is a big deal, since they’re an all female group. I didn’t realize it had a typically male and rebellious connotation. They weren’t being boring. They were being punk rock.

[@danielantony1882]

Sukabando is also a pun and is referencing Sukeban, who are types of delinquent girls.

[@aloevera5206]

how interesting!

[@ThePhreakass]

Boring

[@Agent_Eli]

@@danielantony1882 holy moly, I didn’t even think about the Sukeban angle. Great catch!

[@Agent_Eli]

@@ThePhreakass cry some more

[@wehpudicabok6598]

I love that you switched to Comic Sans when translating the "Kaname-chan" sentences. Very funny and effective way of conveying the connotation!

[@deryckchan]

Same here, what a gem in subtitle design!

[@HaydenTheEeeeeeeeevilEukaryote]

i didnt even notice that, that’s beautiful

[@another-niko-pfp-holder]

what's the reference here?

[@HaydenTheEeeeeeeeevilEukaryote]

@@another-niko-pfp-holder “comic sans” is an annoying childish-looking font that is commonly misused for serious things. Additionally, the font has strange inconsistencies between being curvy and straight, fun and rigid, etc. The heights of certain features are inconsistent as well. Its overuse over time has led to it being seen as annoying.

[@albertroswell]

wow an awesome detail

[@ieruza]

Working in a Japanese-staffed and owned ramen restaurant, I learned the hard way that , while using "ore" to chat with other waiters or my friends is totally cool, you gotta use "boku" or "watashi" when talking to the boss.

[@racool911]

I never knew boku was formal enough to use with your boss lol

[@munchkinchalateo]

​@Racool depends with the organization, I believe

[@Etai_Paina]

i like how he finds the exact words in english to describe the feelling a japanese word gives. a great way to educate, i'd say he's 100x better than the japanese teacher at my highschool who's just giving homework and doesn't know how to use kanji😅

[@dravenaddams8108]

how can you teach japanese without knowing kanji... that sounds like a goddamn disaster i'm so sorry for you dkjfghsjdfghsdkfjg

[@zekemitchell-hopmeier5398]

Teaching Japanese without knowing kanji???

[@chantekiddo2293]

Never seen something more sis than japanese teacher who doesn't know kanji, lol

[@Daelyah]

OOF, that's absurd, what level are they even teaching at? I'm going through beginner's lessons online, and even I have been learning kanji, here and there...

[@mrbanks456]

Was he a weeaboo?

[@Kimmie6772]

This actually explains a lot with how a Japanese character's dialogue is written. I have never heard a sweet voiced character use ore and hardly hear a rough character use boku. I dont even know japanese and I can identify the pronouns discussed. It really is very interesting because I dont know of many other languages that have this many ways to refer to oneself in the first person. Having archetypes for them is really unique.

[@danielantony1882]

This is why I'm a sub elitist. Japanese is just too cool.

[@windhelmguard5295]

it may be difficult for some to learn, but i like how, in one word, you can learn something about the speaker.

[@NPP_1]

​@@danielantony1882 I am also a Sub Elitist. Japanese Sub, that is

[@danielantony1882]

@@NPP_1 Ey. Languages in general have a lot of things that don't translate.

[@Komatik_]

@@windhelmguard5295 The writing system is sadly one of the worst clusterfucks in the world. Would be a good bit easier if it was written phonetically.

[@Ookinachinchin]

Very underrated channel

[@alizzz255]

yeah @alizzz255-chan found this channel recently and it's absolutely goated!

[@achuuuooooosuu]

Found this channel too, it's great! Seems for intermediate Japanese learners since it talks about nuances of verbs and pronouns on a cultural scale. Plus the use of Japanese text in the thumbnails.

[@darknesswithin0]

Just wait for a month or so...

[@Anonymous-cn6zl]

For a new channel, this channel is growing fast.

[@JK-nh6jp]

@@achuuuooooosuu yeah I wish he had a bit more advanced content as well... he obviously is a great teacher and has spent a long time thinking about these linguistic descriptions.

[@damienmonier4027]

Kaname-san, your videos and explanations of nuances in Japanese language are great. Easy to understand. Has been a helpful addition to the language course I'm doing. Thank you for your efforts!

[@kanamenaito]

Thanks!

[@artfulbadger3823]

Thank you for going over so many options for women. So often people explain male pronouns and I felt I didn’t have many options that suited me so I’ve stuck to わたし. I’ve always felt like I’d want to use ぼく, but wasn’t sure how weird people would think that is. Maybe in casual Japanese I will gain the courage to start using it!

[@gaobot]

Why try to stand out and not just stick to what other females usually use?

[@sarahburke9254]

​@@gaobot cause it feels nice :)

[@gaobot]

@@sarahburke9254 Woke gaijin answer.

[@shiix4951]

@@21Kikoshi ...i don't think thats meant to be a good thing culturally, in any society it is better to have a balance between collectivism and individualism and forcing people to fit in for the sake of respecting culture ...really ain't where it's at :| Respect is to meet in the middle between your environment and your identity, what harm is self respect going to cause?

[@vorpalchoppers]

​@@shiix4951As long as you do not disregard the culture, traditions, and "fitting in" I think we're cool. But if you make yourself comfortable first then you look like Jake Paul.

[@s.z.x.01]

I never knew 我 is also used sometimes in Japanese. It is basically the 私‘s Chinese equivalent. It’s really fun to discover the history and connections between 汉字 (hanzi) and 漢字 (kanji) 😅.

[@robinlange93]

And opposed to 我 being outdated, 我々 (we) is still a somewhat common word.

[@DraconicA5]

In the past, Vietnamese also used 我 (ngã) as a formal pronoun. Today, there is still the word 本我 (bản ngã) as for "Ego". Most people don't know that Vietnamese has a lot of 漢字 (Hán tự), like 80% of the vocabulary. They only stop using Chinese characters and switch to the Latin alphabet.

[@danielantony1882]

Hanzi and Kanji are the same thing 😂

[@dahyimi2185]

@@robinlange93 Is it? I've only heard ancient Digimon, like devas and sacred beasts, say 我々 😂.

[@senbonzakura662]

@@danielantony1882bro I’ve argued with so many people about this, finally someone who actually knows lol

[@michaelschalk4718]

This channel is going to blow up. The audio quality is perfect, the speaking is clear and the explanations are fantastic.

[@ethanaurora9580]

Yea true

[@Pheelyp]

Indeed!

[@Primeminister7381]

Not really there is a dozen of these types of videos on youtube ,he is not doing anything new that another person hasn't already covered.😂

[@Pheelyp]

@@Primeminister7381 Would you care to provide some examples? 🙂

[@Primeminister7381]

@@Pheelyp yea check out game gengo channel and learn japanese from zero by george trombley and for the record i am fluent in japanese and i live in japan been studying this language for 7+ years.👍Have fun my friend.

[@mistingwolf]

The first time I really noticed a difference between who was saying what was during "Your Name," when the female protag's consciousness was in the guy's, and s/he was going down the list of "I" variants, much to the boy's friends' confusion. "Watashi...?" _head shakes from the boys, but looking particularly confused_ "Boku...?" _more head shakes with some concern_ "Ore...?" _nods all around_ Before this scene, I had never really paid attention to which pronouns were being used by whom, so I really appreciate this video breaking down the nuances.

[@ZephirumUpload]

It's funny, Japanese seems to put heavy emphasis on letting other people know how to perceive you before they can make a guess. In most western languages you just have a word for "I", but very very many ways to address other people to the point where it becomes slang, and the differences are as subtle. In English I can call another person "dog" and it's, as of now, sort of a tearm of endearment, but also slightly disrespectful but it has a connotation of "other person who is of the same low status as I am", depending on certain subcultures it can be many different words that say the same but I won't mention those in polite company. But in the same way you have "dude" "man" "girl" "buddy" (buddy can also be highly aggressive if it's obvious the person is the exact opposite of that) and I know that Japanese also has things like "Sir" "Madam" "My liege" etc. It seems like for us it's more on the second person to announce what the first person is in relation to them than to immediately explain it from the start, with the one exception being the royal "we" but anyone who'd do that sounds like an absolute clown.

[@danielantony1882]

Fun fact, Japanese ALSO has many ways you can address someone. Most common ones being Anata, Anta, Omae, Kimi, Temee. Even more common among strangers is Onee-san, Onii-san or Onee-chan and Onii-chan for a more intimate one. Remove the O and it becomes even more informal and intimate. Omae is for close people, Anata is for your husband, poetic romance, and is also used in really formal sotuations to address someone. Kimi used to be intimate. Anta is casual. Temee is if you want to kill someone with words before killing them physically. These are the most common ones but there's more stuff that is used in fiction such as Onushi, Unu, Sokomoto, Nanji and some others, I think.

[@Winspur1982]

yeah ... about the use of "we" ... I've noticed some women and gay men use that pronoun as a polite avoidance of saying "you." For example, "Do we need a straw with that?" (I'm a gay man and I hate this) So English has plenty of nuances that are comparable with these Japanese ones.

[@neoqwerty]

@@danielantony1882 There's also the whole tangle of which suffix you give VS no suffix VS are you using last or first name or a nickname they've been given. (had to research all of those for a fanfic that takes place in high school in an unnamed Tokyo district, to give proper tone cohesion between two characters, to _then_ figure out how to translate all of that into an english narrative and get the personality and tone across without localization loss... a fun exercise, I love writing research so much)

[@neoqwerty]

@@Winspur1982 I think if someone asked me that that way I'd start royal we-ing all night and ham it up like a theatre kid. "Our eminent personage will accept the offering of a straw, yes."

[@angeldude101]

And then there are people who casually use "we" to seemingly refer to a single person (or "I" to seemingly refer to multiple people) without missing a beat because they legitimately see it as referring to multiple people (or a single person). What you should really watch out for is when they switch between "we" and "I" seemingly at random without changing who they're actually talking about.

[@standard-carrier-wo-chan]

A Chinese person that is still in very beginning stage of learning Japanese might use "ware" just because they inputted the hanzi for "wǒ" into a kanji translator. Also, "ware" is common in older Japanese patriotic songs, like Battotai for example.

[@Ailerom]

I actually heard about many of these nuances before but you are the first one to actually explain where the nuance comes from. Explaining the cultural background makes it a lot easier to understand the feeling behind these pronouns.

[@goodbyetimehellodeath2545]

I have never laughed through a Japanese lesson before. Your humor and presentation style is at an S level. The way you give context to each part is absolutely outstanding. I am sure that you can make an entire career on teaching Japanese in any context, be it on KZbin, writing a book, Private Lessons, etcetera. Your style is just that much better than so many different mediums (books,videos,audiobooks) that I have tried over the years. I hope that you continue your KZbin tenure and I will be here watching all your videos. Keep it up!

[@Ostsol]

I love this nuance and expressiveness. There's really nothing analogous to it in English.

[@Nagito_Komaeda]

Same thing in Polish. Translations are being filled with vulgarisms because there are no equivalents for this or that.

[@danielantony1882]

This is one of the reasons why Orthodox translation is not a good idea. Pointing out which pronoun is being used for casual people in translations should be common courtesy.

[@Ostsol]

@@danielantony1882 I remember a fan translation of a _Kino's Journey_ episode where the subtitle's colour was used to indicate the gender of pronoun: blue for "boku" and pink for "atashi." Not a bad idea. Now I just pay attention to the Japanese while reading subtitles and by listening absorb the nuance that the English text cannot provide. "Ano ne! Boku wa joshi!" Utena, from _Revolutionary Girl Utena_ 😆

[@TodokanaiKoi]

Yeah it becomes really apparent what isn't translatable once you start learning Japanese. Translating must be very difficult. You have a group complaining about 1:1 translations over localization, but it's really not possible most of the time. So many people would be lost.

[@giuseppeagresta1425]

​@@Ostsolan Utena AND LoGH fan? (judging from the Yang Wen Li pfp) I'm crying

[@DefacedProductions]

Subscribed. Great content on the “why” of nihongo. Its rare to find a teacher so intent on the “why”. Mecchasugoi kanamesan.

[@solj8904]

I’m currently learning Japanese and these videos are perfect! They’re challenging, but not so overwhelming that I’m lost. Would definitely love to see more

[@MurderedHer0es]

I randomly clicked on this video for no reason but you explain each pronoun so clearly and impressively. My Japanese teacher didn't say anything about watashi and boku being polite, just that watashi is typically feminine and boku is typically masculine. You just got a subscriber!

[@Scapi0609]

I used to use "あたし" before a Japanese acquaintance of mine told me it's rude to use that while talking to people that are older than you so I got scared and stopped. So now I use the boring "私" or "自分" instead. However before seeing the pinned comment I wasn't aware there was so much meaning behind "自分". But anyways seeing that most of my conversations are casual and not in keigo I don't see how using "あたし" again would be a problem.

[@EvilGuacamoleGaming]

I'm still nowhere near understanding Japanese but I do enjoy understanding how other languages work anyway. The nature of pronouns is very interesting in general. It's also very interesting how many first person pronouns there are in Japanese since many languages two at most and the split is most commonly over formality. Very interesting. Thank you for the very educational video.

[@jakubrogacz6829]

Japanese is pretty fun but kanji make it very difficult

[@danielantony1882]

​@@jakubrogacz6829 Kanji is truth and absolution. Knowing Kanji is just a Gigachad position.

[@LavenderYuki]

In the JP dub of the game Genshin Impact, Paimon used the pronouns "oira" to refer to Paimon and Traveler, and sometimes referring to only herself. In English it translated to "we". I was told it was equivalent of "orera" but more country/inaka-like. I don't know it was true.

[@darchelmacaroyo184]

She doesnt actually call herself in third person in the japanese dub?

[@VoxAsteri]

@@darchelmacaroyo184 Nope, she doen't refer to herself in third person in jpn dub, but she does in the chinese dub!

[@TakatoEndou]

From what I've heard "oira" is actually a gender-neutral pronoun, and so it can be used both by girls and boys. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@yorgash2193]

Oira is very similar to the childish version of Boku, but used very rarely iirc

[@blasianking4827]

Genshin uses weird pronouns lmao, like I remember Kazuha refers to himself as 'sessha' which is a super archaic pronoun that's never used anymore.

[@TheAnjelHarte]

I've seen a few other educators talk about this topic a little bit, but this is by far the most comprehensive overview I've found! It's interesting to me how many of these connotations I've picked up just from music and other entertainment. I'm nonbinary and switched from 私 to 僕 to convey that people shouldn't be reading me as a woman without any second thoughts about it, which fits with what you said about not having "learned how to be a woman" lmao. Is it uncommon for people to switch first-person pronouns in casual form? Like if someone refers to themselves with 僕 and 俺 interchangeably throughout the same conversation, is that super weird?

[@b.lightyear3455]

(Disclaimer: not an expert) In my understanding, that would be very unusual. I have noticed that some people will use different pronouns in different kinds of casual contexts (e.g., using one pronoun when speaking with friends and a different one with family), but switching between pronouns in the exact same casual context I have not heard of.

[@danielantony1882]

Well, 僕(ぼく) is also used by tomboyish girls so that as well.

[@val9344]

i see 自分 used a lot by nonbinary people as well

[@taoretakitsune]

>I'm nonbinary dont learn my language. Dont speak in it. Dont write in it. Please, can you forget how to breath for an hour?

[@youdonotcare]

​@@taoretakitsune ????

[@TheKawaiifan]

I personally use あたし, I like how it’s both feminine and kinda edgy. I’m a very hyper feminine, upbeat and energetic person. Pretty much a genki girl. Love decora kei fashion. 私 feels too plain and わたくし feels very elegant and mature and almost untouchable. I’d prolly use those in certain contexts, but あたし has def been my default; it feels the most authentically me One bizarre pronoun I encountered was while I was listening to Japanese voice lines for the mobile game Pokémon Masters. When I got to Blue/Green, I heard him say 俺さま and I pretty much bursted out laughing on the spot. It was just so pompous and arrogant, it was perfect. I’m told apparently Guzma from Sun and Moon also uses that pronoun, but I think I prefer how that got interpreted in the English version. “It’s ya boi, Guzma!” Is just so iconic

[@gristen]

lmao of course he'd say 俺さま 😂

[@timmyturner327]

Jaian from Doraemon has said "oresama" on quite a few occasions as well. Really fits him perfectly.

[@May_Dream]

Is that a friggin RuneScape Gold Trimmed Wizard hat?? I give you all the respect bro. Your videos have answered so many of the specific questions I have about learning Japanese.

[@ImQuiteGay]

In Japanese class I said “I am bread” instead of “I want bread.” 💀

[@Spookspek]

I don't want to be bread 😫

[@crppledizzle9374]

​@@Spookspekshut up 🔫🍞 (bread ray)

[@raehik]

一人称以外でも日本語は”性格・キャラを示す”言葉遣いや文法が数多くある言語なので皆が自分の声を見つけてほしいです！！楽しいから！！！ there's a bunch more ways one can express themselves in Japanese (word choice, grammar etc.) and it's a blast to learn how to do so in a different language so best of luck to all you learners!

[@lovesick_loser]

Having a very flexible gender identity makes speaking japanese pretty fun. In casual settings i go between using あたし and 俺 depending on my mood, and tend to confuse people if they meet me on two different occasions... luckily i mostly socialize through forums or comments so it's rare that someone sees me using both... ^^;

[@fridaynightspreadsheetfun]

I wish it was possible for you to understand how little I believe someone could be "meeting" you twice offline

[@samwad484]

are you aware of any good pronouns that come off as gender neutral in casual settings?

[@mackiexoxo8193]

​@@fridaynightspreadsheetfunthey literally said it's rare that it happens though. I don't see why you're commenting like it's a gotcha? I'm being genuine here. And I _have_ been able to recognize some random person's handle online, a couple times. Usually because the name caught my attention or they made a strong impression on me. It _can_ happen, just, like you both said, it's rare.

[@samwad484]

@@mackiexoxo8193 they meant offline, with the implication that they're so off-putting that no one who talked to them once IRL would want to do so again. Just a childish jab based only on queerness and no actual personality flaw

[@fayescarlet]

I've used "atashi" when speaking, but recently learned it sounds a bit childish for a woman in her early 30s. I don't want to sound childish to my friend in Japan, but I do agree "watashi" is indeed a bit boring! 😅 It can't be helped, though. Great video, I like seeing all these different perspectives on pronouns.

[@IcarusMK22]

10 years in Japan, asked numerous people, and never got a clear answer. Until now. Thank you, this needs to be in every 日本語101 class.

[@koroyaku]

Your burikko impression had me laughing so hard! Were you not cringing internally? Loving your vids. Please keep giving us your native impression of words, phrases, and grammar. It's invaluable stuff.

[@naoyahikoshima]

会話の中で使う一人称と二人称は、 実は日本人にとってもしばしば悩みの種になるんですよね。 I と You だけ覚えればよい英語は、その点で合理的で、羨ましいと思うときがあります。

[@MaestroKytes]

I love how the english translation changes font to Comic Sans when referring to Own name + ちゃん. Absolutely hilarious!

[@lyndiss.2017]

- I first came across the word 俺 in some 20th century Chinese texts (I'm Malaysian Chinese) and it was used by women, so I actually started using it as my first pronoun in casual text... And do so when playing around in Japanese text too. I haven't actually refer to myself in conversation with Ore yet, but you mentioned it's only common in certain dialects. What happens if I, who is okay with being a woman, use it as someone who isn't a native speaker? Will I just seem like a funny foreigner? 😂 - the "use name as first pronoun" thing is ALSO a thing in conversational Malay! Some of my friends and colleagues and classmates do that, and yes... They were all female! And used for cutesy effect. Some, though, use it emphatically. I've seen Malay celebrities use their own name as pronoun even in more serious interviews.

[@Daelyah]

This could just be because of both my western upbringing and introverted nature, but while I look for pronouns that imply a non-conforming identity (she/they are the english pronouns I use), using my given name in place of a pronoun would be weird for me.

[@blasianking4827]

If you're a woman using ore in a casual context where it would otherwise be accepted, I think it can give off a boisterous, boyish vibe since ore is really only used by dudes. Doesn't mean you can't use it, nobody's gonna be like 'you're a woman you can't use ore!' but it does give off that super casual dude bro vibe because those are the situations in which it is used. So if you're okay with that, use it if that's what you like.

[@Rudolphhhhhh]

Indeed, there are so many other pronouns, especially in fictions. For example, there is a famous novel written by 夏目漱石 (Natsume Souseki) : 吾輩は猫である ("I am a cat", with an arrogant tone). Or if there are samurais, it is quite common to hear something like: 拙者は侍でござる ("I am a samurai"). I also played some video games when some characters refer to themselves with 余 (よ), e.g. Zora's King in Zelda Ocarina of Time. Speaking of 我, is 我々 more used than just 我 in real life?

[@lenaalt2387]

it sounds literary, not like something you would use in conversation

[@greggaines3482]

(This comment being the exception) I have kind of learned to simply use no first-person pronoun ever and if at all possible simply don't talk about myself... ever. That makes the choice of first-person pronoun easier. 😉 In spite of my grammar books having 私は in nearly every sentence or (even worse) the second-person pronoun あなた all over the examples, I try to avoid the use of either. Also... habitually referring to one's self by using one's own name instead of a first-person pronoun in English is known as Illeism. It is also called "referring to oneself in the third person".

[@Daelyah]

And even my favorite mad jester from Skyrim still unsettles people with that mannerism. It's all the more why I'd feel uncomfortable using my name in conversation beyond introductions.

[@karlsonmovies]

Great video, seems like my understanding of the pronouns are close enough to what you described. Personally, I like how “Uchi” sounds, but I haven’t really found an explanation on it. And I think there are two types, ウチ and 内 but I’m not really sure when or how they’re used. I’ve heard Uchi used to refer to oneself, but there are also sentences like “Uchi no musuko,” “our son”

[@kanamenaito]

You can use うち as “I”. うち、昨日新しい携帯買ったさー。It has a feeling of an outgoing extrovert type of girls. Feeling of 元気な女の子.

[@The_thief_chicken]

We don’t use the Kanji "内" in the first person. When we use "Uchi" for it, we use only “ウチ or うち”. The meaning of "内" in Kanji is "inside. The phrase "Uchi no musuko," means "son of our family”. The word "Uchi" also means "familly or home” and “a place to which one belongs and feel an affinity”.

[@krash1220]

Same here, I like how "うち" sounds but because of the confusion with the word for "inside" I just use "あたし" (even though I am quite reserved lol)

[@Zorba007]

I've been learning Japanese for the better half of last year till now, and can honestly say I appreciate this video immensely. As you mentioned, I had actually noticed the use of ぼく in a song by 中島美嘉 conveniently titled 僕が僕が死のうと思ったのは。So thank you for clarifying these nuances, I look forward to more content from you! 頑張てくどさい！

[@MaulLerGamer]

I didn't know that there are difference between boku and boku XD

[@ArkRiley]

You can use 我輩 (wagahai) if you want to sound like a cat or a weird witch. But most JP folks will just be reminded of that one book about a cat, I think.

[@Shiromochimochi]

Bowser in the Super Mario Bros Series also uses wagahai A good example might be a king or a general or weird witch (Impression that a high-ranking person uses it with self-respect)

[@Default78334]

And if you want to sound like the villain from a shonen manga, there's always この俺様.

[@CelestiaLily]

ahaha omg yeah i remember the Natsumi Sōseki book being referenced in video games like Ace Attorney (the historical prequel one where we even meet him) and Persona 5 (Morgana the braggadocious cat, who uses "wagahai" while being very insistent on *not* being called a cat) xD

[@awawawawase]

I thought you had at least 50k subs at first, very useful information and examples. Really underrated content

[@richardy.265]

Your videos are very well made and edited for being a fairly new channel, can't wait for more!!

[@lovelysakurapetalsyt]

Ooh thank you so much for uploading this! I've been slowly learning some Japanese out of curiosity and it's so hard to learn it because there's so few that actually explain it this well!

[@DrRyan82994]

i kind of like watashi because it’s boring and i sort of like that it’s a little feminine too. it sort of reflects how i present myself normally. i don’t really go out of my way to be masculine, i sort of feel secure. maybe because i’ve always been tall or something

[@nepheo5243]

Hello! I just found your channel in my recommendations area, and I really love the way you teach. It's really straightforward and easy to understand. I hope more people would find you. Thank you very much for the learnings! ❤️

[@lindacwelter3213]

So glad I discovered this channel -- so enlightening and very funny! You help make learning a challenging language more fun😊

[@nayu6121]

Omg that video was so good! I love how you explain the details and nuances between each type by showing many variations as examples :) I also liked you added the phrases in jp and eng! The editing, audio, subtitles are great! I'm not a native english speaker and the way you speak makes it very easy to understand ☺️🇧🇷

[@Magmatai]

I hope to see many more videons from you Kaname, you explain things so well that I regret paying to study in Japan www, I like that you cover the basics that are needed for continuation while learning, henceforth I'd love to see more about grammar, since there is so much of it, knowing the proper usage and meaning in other videos really helped me, even though I already studied for four years, I feel like your videos really helped me truely understand :)

[@kanamenaito]

I’m making a grammar video that many people don’t get it right. The video will be out in less than a week I think you’ll like it! Thank you for your comment!

[@SoggyWetCheese]

I’m still a beginner to Japanese, so to be honest, I can’t even understand what you’re saying half the time, but I still find your video’s entertaining and informative 👍

[@enderwiggins8248]

I’m in a class reading Japanese literature translated to English (genji monogatari, makura no soshi, hyakunin-isshu, etc) and I often see *waga* for the first person pronoun. Is this only a Heian era literary term?

[@xchemicalXladybugx]

Very interesting video. I learned years ago that あたし was considered cute rather than strong and noticed many examples of this in Japanese media. It makes sense that it has a strong or rebellious feel but I haven’t see that in practice. I’ve also never heard of the flat and accented ぼく. As a woman who prefers boku in casual conversation this was interesting and helpful. Oh, and your comment about 自分 is also very interesting and helpful. I mostly watch shows that are meant for male audiences and never noticed that jibun was strictly male and hierarchical. I thought this might be a way of saying “myself”

[@mordecaidl4630]

Great video, pretty helpful to understand this differences. I mostly use Ore in casual speech with my friends and sometime use "Wagahai" when i roleplay some character for a joke or smth

[@Leffydht]

Bro your explanation is 完璧!

[@rosm9601]

I love your videos. The explanations are fantastic and help me so much to understand Japanese. I was very confused and Kaname San is correct that you can't get the context etc from the text books. This is the first Japanese lesson that I'm laughing out loud! Please keep sharing your knowledge, Kaname San!!!

[@lyrakae]

You know I given up on learning to speak Japanese many years ago. I'm still a weeb but I prefer to focus my learning on my practical/ historical languages to me. But I just wanted to say, your channel is lovely! Wonderfully explained, good audio quality, it's slow so those whom want to take notes can. The infographic on the screen are simple and there is even subtitles? Wonderful! Truly one of the best channels on here! Hopefully you'll get some more subs cause you do deserve them my friend!

[@domiNATEion]

Really glad I was recommended your channel! Your examples are amazing, you make it easy to understand all of the different subtleties, and are just funny in general Keep it up! 僕の新しい一番好きなユーチューバは要ちゃん！

[@brim6902]

This is amazing, very well explained. May i ask if you plan to make beginers lessons for grammar/vocabulary ? 💖

[@arashickarened]

I've been using these variations from habit and it's the first time I see someone go into the detail of the nuances in each variation. This is an awesome video!

[@foobietv]

Glad there's helpful videos like this explaining the very nuances that go into learning Japanese. I'm teaching myself before going and these segments are great! Tons of thanks! 😅

[@fangoo_e.a.b.]

I was just playing an old videogame that had a character use the pronoun わし, and was wondering what nuances it had. Thank you for the well explained video!

[@aloysiusdevadanderabercrombie8]

Was it possibly Link's Awakening lol

[@winterwarden]

lmao these lessons are incredibly funny and informative. keep it up 要ちゃん！

[@sleepytimejunction8780]

I hope more people get to find your channel in the future, I will definitely recommend it! 😊 Thank you for all of the effort you put into your videos, production wise there's nothing they're top notch and content wise very helpful, awesome!

[@dlm4708]

This is the video I needed when taking first-year Japanese in university. I had three years in high school but university level is different. I need to see a "whole picture" and then I can understand what details go somewhere, like seeing a puzzle picture and then putting the puzzle together. The university wants a person to have only pieces of a puzzle but no final picture, so I do not know what I am supposed to do. Other students understood right away when taking tiny pieces of information. When there is a video like this, that tells me about one entire subject at one time, I can understand quickly. Thank you for your efforts.

[@davidmejia207]

Another nice video! Very interesting to learn about those tiny details that can make a big impact in the way you convey information. Thank you very much for this. Kind regards.

[@euphedine3140]

ありがとうございましたカナメさん😁 I've been learning Japanese on and off for a few years but your descriptions made it so easy to understand! I've just subscribed👍🏾

[@yaroslavromanyuk5669]

It's super informative, and your impersonations are fire. Keep it up!

[@ConLogosz]

Your videos have been extremely informative! Thanks a ton--keep it coming, and I'll keep watching!

[@AmbiambiSinistrous]

Thank you for explaining the tonal difference between different types of "boku" - we're not usually taught to pay attention to tone in English, but once you pointed it out here I instantly got what you meant (from memory of how the different tones are used by characters in anime, etc.). Thank you also for your video explaining different pitch accent patterns 🙏

[@Phoca_Vitulina]

ありがとうございますカナメ-さん for all the context behind each of them! Subscribed! I am learning Japanese and getting context behind what to use when and in front of whom is really helpful

[@suraangel6956]

Wow, I had no idea I would find your youtube channel! Great explanation and your teaching style is entertaining!! Thank you!!

[@Bryggyth]

In anime I've heard 吾輩 (wagahai) which seems to be used similar to 我 but with a sense of haughtiness or confidence. I've always assumed it was outdated and no longer in use anywhere, but for some reason it's always been my favorite sounding first person pronoun. I'd of course never use it myself though haha.

[@aut1stickid]

Well then you might like watching Laplus Darkness, give her a try

[@daliblue_]

Yes, there's this really famous story on Japan called "吾輩は猫である" where the main character (a cat) speaks in that way about humans haha. My favorite one is 妾 (わらわ), anciently used by females in a humble way I think, I just love sm how it sounds and would use it if it wasn't old-fashioned xD

[@rich1051414]

A girl referring to herself as 僕(boku) would make her a 'tomboy'. That doesn't really say much about their sexuality or anything, but rather their interests or their humble origins.

[@claydoub]

Great channel, very helpful! Would love to see a video breaking down the nuances of Japanese prepositions

[@sjnok2905]

You make the BEST videos on youtube. Your deep understanding of both Japanese and english really shows in the way you teach.

[@sophovot5079]

The gold rimmed runescape wizard hat lmao legend

[@bastiantellius]

If Teaching was one of the new skills being considered for OSRS, he'd be the first to 99.

[@vinnae]

Wow. For some reason I had learned of あたし as being a very feminine, almost somewhat child-like pronoun, which is unlike how I am as a woman. Learning now that it is meant to convey a desire to not be seen as very humble and reserved is great and means I'm gonna use this more in casual settings when speaking to people who know Japanese because that idea conveys my personality way more. Thanks.

[@katiekawaii]

Your videos are so good! You explain things fully but you don't throw in any filler or draw things out longer than necessary. I'm a fan!

[@skywares]

I'm absolutely dying at the ending, at first I thought he was just staring, judging people using their name + chan 😂 really informative! You've gained a sub lol

[@user-jo6bl1fd4w]

Wow, man, im shocked that I found gold among the stones. U know what I mean, so, I wanna thank you for ur effort and wish you keep doing it - it's really yours!

[@Well_away]

Indeed! Kaname-san giving us premium content for free😊

[@user-jo6bl1fd4w]

@@Well_away !!

[@_P2M_]

The Japanese language is so fascinating. The politeness, the position in the social hierarchy, and the overall "vibe" you give off can be easily understood just by the words you choose to use. Things like the お and ご prefixes, the ます form, the use of です, and the choices in pronouns, be it 1st person, 2nd person, or 3rd person. It must make it so much easier to get a read on someone than you would in English.

[@siginotmylastname3969]

Your videos are absolutely incredible!!! I don't know how you write such concise and dense scripts for videos but it's hard not to pause every 30 seconds while studying.

[@DaveLopez575]

Keep these lessons coming!! ありがとうございます

[@gracgrac.17]

The way he explained the pronouns is very impressive. I am a slow learner but I absorb everything he said. I hope this channel receive the attention it needs!

[@yurii_chynchyk]

先生, your pronunciation and facial expressions together with intonation make it a delight to observe 🙂 not only your explanations are deep and detailed but the way how you deliver the information is extremely comprehensive too !🔥 ありがとうございました！

[@alantremonti1381]

Great video, very informational from the veiwpoint of a beginner learning Japanese, but who is also looking for a little more context. Subscribed!

[@Yujidesu021]

I finally found an underrated channel.I learned a lot.thanks so much!.keep it up.

[@shee4521]

動画ありがとうございました！It was very informative! I was wondering if you'd be willing to make a similar one about second person pronouns, eg あなた、君、and how appropriate they are in different situations 🙏

[@gustavovillegas5909]

My Japanese friend is very cutesy and she always refers to herself as Rie chan and insists I use boku and calls me Gustavo kun, but even then I feel boku matches my enthusiastic and friendly personality so I like it!

[@jammity3917]

the 高低アクセント stuff with 僕 was really interesting! in 10 years of japanese learning it's never come up for me. thank you for explaining :)

[@TheLanguageSponge]

Thank you for this video, this is the one that got me to subscribe. It’s very helpful. I don’t know whether you are open to suggestions, but I wonder whether a video covering common ways to say ‘you’ would be good. As well as covering when to just not use anything to translate it at all. Again, thank you very much.

[@Shindetsuku]

ありがとうかなめさん What would you suggest for a gender neutral/non-binary pronoun to use? I thought that was じぶん but I guess not? I know very little Japanese since I haven't studied for over a decade, so thank you in advance!

[@That_One_Xatu]

Japanese language learner here! I read a few articles a while ago on first-person pronouns, and one I read was on queer expression in Japanese language, talking about pronoun usage and ways of speaking. In the article, they mentioned someone who was non-binary and used 自分 (じぶん) as they thought it was a good gender neutral fit that also expressed the right amount of "roughness" for their personality. Iirc, I think the article was called "A queer take on gendered Japanese", and was on a website called "Tofugu". It was a very interesting read.

[@hey-qi6ko]

私は驚いています！私はブラジル人です、あなたはこれを理解していますしたがって、それはすべてとても完璧です。あなたの多大な努力を祝福します！

[@MiasinLearnArmenian]

You are so great in explaining things, thank you very much ❤very helpful video

[@1boss1]

I just started learning the language and wow! This video was very informative! Thank you

[@juanki8350]

Hello! I found your channel and it’s very useful, I haven’t found other channels that dive deep into the Japanese language. I was wondering if you could help me with the difference and usage of 気分、気持ち and 感じ since they are confusing and I haven’t seen anyone explain them next to one another.

[@kanamenaito]

「気分」refers to a temporal feeling you get from inside, like “I don’t feel like studying now””I feel like eating sushi now”. 「気持ち」is usually about what you think/feel about something. “You don’t understand my feeling at all””we all have same feeling about the incident.” When you say 気分がいい(I’m feeling good)、気分が悪い(I feel bad), 気持ちがいい(feel good(like when someone is giving you a massage)), 気持ちがわるい(feel bad like want to vomit).

[@kanamenaito]

「感じ」is about sensation, what you feel through your sensation. When you say someone gives you a feeling/vibe, you can use 「感じ」, like 「彼は危ない感じがする」he gives me a dangerous feeling.

[@leti9130]

Thank you for making me interested in the japanese language again. So glad youtube recommended me your video.

[@hankchung7623]

Thank you for sharing the nuance of similar words. This is really useful to the learners ❤

[@coolbrotherf127]

These videos are amazing. I've been learning for about a year now and I've already learned so much from your videos. I'll definitely be watching all your videos.