Which should you use to call yourself, watashi, boku, ore, or jibun?

“海賊王に!!! おれはなるっ!!!!(kaizokuouni orewa naru)”

This is a phrase from “One Piece,” one of the most famous and popular Japanese manga all over the world.

In Japanese language, there are may ways to express oneself, わたし(watashi), ぼく(boku), おれ(ore), じぶん(jibun), and so on.

In manga, there are so many exaggerated expressions and let me tell you the differences between them.

わたし/わたくし(私, watashi/watakushi)

This is the most common expression in daily conversation. If you are wondering what to call yourself, you can choose this. There are no gender difference.

Even when you talk with your boss, there are no impolite impression.

If you want to be more polite, you can say わたくし instead. This is a more popular way to express yourself.

If you are gong to take job interview in Japanese and you use this, your impression will be better.

If it’s the casual conversation, you may give others the impression that you are too polite.

ぼく(僕, boku)

This is mainly used by boys. If you use in the office, it may give others childlike impression.

In the usual conversation, there are no problem to use.

おれ(俺, ore)

This is mainly used by men. This will be the most popular one among young men if it’s the casual conversation.

Please be careful of use in the formal situation, such as in the office, with students if you are a teacher, and in any other formal situation. This will give others the impolite impression.

じぶん(自分, jibun)

This can be a replacement of おれ(ore) in the formal situation. Watakushi is the most polite, but this is also polite.

In Japanese language, some first persons are used as second persons. じぶん is also used as the second person especially in the Kansai region.

These four are the most common ones and I recommend you to use 私(watashi) if you don’t have any preference.

There are many other ways to call yourself such as あたし(atashi), ウチ(uchi), and わし(washi), but all of them are used in the casual situation.



This is the end of this blog. I hope you enjoy the difference between the first persons.

In the next blog on Wednesday, I’m going to tell you about the pronunciation of Japanese language.