Pronouns: The Complete Set (代名詞)
In Japanese, pronouns are optional (you usually drop them when the context is clear), but when you do use them, they carry a lot of social weight. Learn them by perspective (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) and formality level.
1st PERSON — "I"
Choose based on your gender & setting
わたし ・ ワタシ
watashi
Safe, standard, polite. Everyone uses this in public.
わたくし ・ ワタクシ
watakushi
Super humble, used in speeches or keigo (honorific speech).
ぼく ・ ボク
boku
Used by men and boys. Soft, humble, but casual.
あたし ・ アタシ
atashi
Used by women and girls. Cute, informal, friendly.
おれ ・ オレ
ore
Used by men. Strong, confident, rough — never use in formal settings.
われ ・ ワレ
ware
Very old-school and dramatic. Rare in daily life.
2nd PERSON — "YOU"
Use with EXTREME caution – often avoided
あなた ・ アナタ
anata
Standard "you." Safe, but can sound distant. Also used by wives to call husbands ("dear").
きみ ・ キミ
kimi
Used by men to address friends, juniors, or subordinates. Casual but not rude.
あんた ・ アンタ
anta
Used by women. Shortened from Anata. Can sound blunt or motherly.
おまえ ・ オマエ
omae
Very blunt. Used between close male friends or to talk down to someone. Can be offensive.
てめえ ・ テメエ
temee
Aggressive, like "you bastard." Only in anime fights or arguments — avoid!
あなたたち ・ アナタタチ
anata-tachi
"You all" – formal but still a bit distant.
きみたち ・ キミタチ
kimi-tachi
"You guys" – used among friends or to address a group of equals.
Golden Rule: In Japanese, use the person's NAME + さん (-san) instead of "you" whenever possible. Example: "Does Tanaka-san like sushi?" instead of "Do you like sushi?"
3rd PERSON — "HE / SHE / THEY"
Gender-neutral options are safest
かれ ・ カレ
kare
Means "he" or "boyfriend" depending on context.
かのじょ ・ カノジョ
kanojo
Means "she" or "girlfriend" depending on context.
あのひと ・ アノヒト
ano hito
Literally "that person." Safe, respectful, and gender-neutral.
かれら ・ カレラ
karera
"They" for masculine or mixed groups. Can sound a bit masculine.
かのじょたち ・ カノジョタチ
kanojo-tachi
"They" for all-female groups.
あのひとたち ・ アノヒトタチ
ano hito-tachi
"Those people" – the safest, most respectful way to say "they" in real life.
4th PERSON — "WE" / "US" / "OUR GROUP"
Choose by formality and group tone
わたしたち ・ ワタシタチ
watashi-tachi
Standard, safe "we."
ぼくたち ・ ボクタチ
boku-tachi
"We" – male speaker with friends.
おれたち ・ オレタチ
ore-tachi
"We" – rough, masculine, group of close buddies.
われわれ ・ ワレワレ
wareware
Very formal "we" – used in business announcements or speeches.
Bonus: the "Ko-So-A" series (demonstratives)
Memorize them as a group — a mini-song of three words for pointing at things.
これ ・ コレ
kore — this (near me)
それ ・ ソレ
sore — that (near you)
あれ ・ アレ
are — that (over there, far from both)