Japanese Pronouns: I, You, She, He, They, We

 

Japanese Pronouns: I, You, She, He, They, We (JLPT N5)

Learn essential pronouns with romaji, kanji/kana, and usage notes.

わたし　わたくし　ぼく　おれ watashi, watakushi, boku, ore
  • 私　わたし　watashi (Neutral, polite)
  • 私　わたくし　watakushi (very formal, business like)
  • 僕　ぼく　boku (Casual male; young boys or soft style)
  • 俺　おれ　ore (very casual, male language)

I you she he they we

JLPT N5 Japanese pronouns chart
  • I: 私 わたし watashi
  • you: あなた anata ("anata" is rarely used. "[name]+san" is used normally.)
  • she/girlfriend: 彼女 かのじょ kanojo
  • he/boyfriend: 彼 かれ kare
  • they: 彼ら かれら karera、あの人たち あのひとたち anohitotachi
  • we: 私たち わたしたち watashitachi、我々 われわれ wareware

FAQ: Japanese Pronouns

Q: Why avoid "anata"?

A: Sounds distant; use names + san instead.

Q: Boku vs Ore?

A: Boku=soft casual, Ore=rough male slang.

Updated Dec. 2025