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Welcome back to Japanese class. This is your teacher Hotaru Hunter. Today I will be teaching you about how to refer to yourself.

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There are many different ways to say me, and some people get this messed up fairly easily. Let's start with the one that is most universal and easiest to use.

私/わたし(Watashi) is a very wide-range term that can be used by pretty much everyone. Males, female, the young, and the old can use this expression as "me". It is also the best choice to use when one is in a formal situation.

Next we will learn 僕/ぼく(Boku). This term is used to refer to oneself when you are a young boy. In manga/anime, pretty-boy type characters tend to use it as well. It makes the person sound very small and inferior, or in some cases humble and educated. It all depends on how it is used. This can also be used at a young boy by an older person. This usage is a male's only type thing. A female calling themselves "Boku" is slightly creepy.

On that note we will make the boy older. If he became a punk during this time, he will most likely use 俺/オレ(Ore). This term is a slightly slangy, slightly superior way of saying me. If your a dude who wants to sound "badass", as they call it, this is the term to use for you. Just don't use it during a job interview. If you want to get hired, anyway. This is also more of guy thing. 俺様(Ore-sama) is a very pompous way of saying me, and can be found in the most arrogant of vocabularies.

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Now we go back in time, since I know that if you're reading this on a website like Gaia, you're into manga and anime and stuff. Don't worry. I, your "sensei", am a fan of that stuff, too.

Let's start with 己(Onore). This is more like a use used in poems, morals, and important announcements. I've never actually heard about someone who uses this on a regular basis.

Next up is 我輩/わがはい(Wagahai). This term is used by older people in high positions of power. In manga/anime this is usually slapped onto an embassador from another country.

And last, and personally funniest, is 朕(Chin). This was used by kings. It just sounds funny, really. X3

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So there's you lesson! If you have any questions or comments, reply to this post or PM me. Thank you.





Hotaru Hunter
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  • User Comments: [1] [add]
    Florida Panther
    Community Member
    avatar
    commentCommented on: Tue Mar 13, 2007 @ 12:50am
    So is Fuzzy Bunny is Koushidouki? I'm not extremely positive, my cousin's girlfriend told me that.


    User Comments: [1] [add]
     
     
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