Quote:
Originally Posted by chryuop
I have a question about "you".
I write a lot back and forth with a Japanese guy and I noticed that sometimes (when he needs to use the pronoun you) he uses あなた and sometimes he uses ジジさん or ジジさんの instead of your (that is my real name). I started using it too (you know...we learner are very copycat  ) tho I don't know if this use is formal or if there are only certain occasions when you can do it...any explanation? |
Regarding Japanese 二人称代名詞, rule of thumb is basically:
1. Avoid using pronouns in Japanese altogether unless you absolutely must have to.
2. If you know the name of the person, use their name + さん (safest)
3. If the person is someone who is above you in the social ladder, then it depends:
- If he/she is your teacher, use 先生
- If he/she is your senior, use 先輩
- If he/she is your superior, use their title (i.e. 社長、部長 etc)
- If he/she is the customer, use お客様
- For all other cases, follow No. 2
- If you don't know their name, ask because there are no "polite 2nd person pronouns" in Japanese
3. If you don't know the name of the person and he is equal or of lower status than you are, you can use あなた (safest), 君、お宅、そちら etc.