[ 3 / biz / cgl / ck / diy / fa / ic / jp / lit / sci / vr / vt ] [ index / top / reports ] [ become a patron ] [ status ]
2023-11: Warosu is now out of extended maintenance.

/jp/ - Otaku Culture

View post   
  [?]In ghost mode, only threads with non-archived posts will be shown
File: 170 KB, 497x743, mokou71.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2376904 No.2376904 [Reply] [Original]

What are the implications for a man when it comes to using 'watashi', 'boku', or 'ore' to refer to himself?

A bunch of Japanese foreign exchange students stopped by our college recently, college freshmen and sophomores mostly, and the guys (who were between 18 and 22 mostly) all seemed to use 'boku' (a couple of the girls did, too, what's up with that?)

Is there a certain age at which you become too old to not raise eyebrows using 'boku'? Is 'ore' too arrogant, is 'watashi' considered overly feminine?

I know this isn't at all related to /jp/, so here's a Touhou picture.

>> No.2376911
File: 290 KB, 480x640, 2315961.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2376911

>>2376904
>>Japanese language gender and commonalities
>>not /jp/ related
wat

>> No.2376915

I just know that angsty robots with no memories use 'boku' and 'ore'

>> No.2376916
File: 81 KB, 640x480, mokou47.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2376916

>>2376911
You know how it is. Everything's got to have VNs or Touhou somewhere in it for anyone to pay attention to it.

>> No.2376922

>>2376911
Actual questions about Japan and its language are not usually welcome around here. All questions on the matter will receive better treatment at /trv/

>> No.2376952

According to conversation with Japs, "watashi" seems to be used only in very formal situations (or when you must be respectful to someone). Otherwise it may sound a bit feminine or unusual.

'Ore' is not arrogant, it's used a lot by men between friends and informal situations.

'Boku' is a humble way of referring to yourself, not sounding too formal, but not sounding disrespectful either. It may sound a little masculine, so it's used a lot by females who don't want to sound KAWAIIII or MOEEE, if you know what I mean.

>> No.2376956

>>2376952
>don't want to sound KAWAIIII or MOEEE
but boku-ko is moe too.

>> No.2376958

>Otherwise it may sound a bit feminine or unusual.
I use it because of moe envy.

>> No.2376992
File: 49 KB, 480x580, mokou63.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2376992

>>2376952
So men continue using 'boku' well over the age of 30, 40, etc.?

I don't know why, but for some reason I had it in my head that it's for young men, or teenage boys.

>> No.2377013

>>2376992
'Boku' does make you sound "younger", and yeah it may sound funny coming from a 40 year old.

But it all depends on your personality and which one you think it suits you, it's not really based on rules or anything.

However, when people feel they're old, they start using 'washi'.

If you're not sure, your best bet would be 'boku'.

>> No.2377121
File: 11 KB, 350x268, can-has-corm.1201242855247.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2377121

Each generation just uses a different slang. Kids today use boku. They used to use ore.

>>
Reply to thread [?]Don't expect anything heroic. Your post will not be uploaded to the original board.
Name
E-mail
Subject
Comment
Action