The use of 'watashi' in Japanese

[GregFromScotland]

When it is clear who I am talking to, I use the person's real name. I only use anata if I don't know the person's name.

[koekoeka]

Originally Posted by chryuop

I have a question about "you".
You know, every grammar book of Japanese says the same things posted in this thread about the use of I and you. I read in the past that あなた can actually be kinda impolite for how redundant it can sound. Thus a big use of it can become, not offensive, but annoying.

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?

Can you translate that hiragana? I'm cant really read hiragana yet
I can understand a little of your hiragana symbols but not all

[Mikatee]

あなた-anata
ジジさん-jijisan
ジジさんの-jijisan no

I haven't problems with 'I' and 'you' in Japanese because it's alike in my languagexD Hahah first time I feel I like my mother tongue

[MMM]

Originally Posted by GregFromScotland

When it is clear who I am talking to, I use the person's real name. I only use anata if I don't know the person's name.

I would never use anata with someone whose name I didn't know unless they were clearly much younger than me.

[kouichisan]

I have thought the same thing too, I was wondering when watashi should be omitted. This thread has sort of given me an idea to make my Japanese flow a bit more.

[kirakira]

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.

[Kitsuneko]

I use anata a lot myself, but usually only when calling for my husband...

[Wasabista]

Originally Posted by chryuop

I have a question about "you".
I read in the past that あなた can actually be kinda impolite for how redundant it can sound. Thus a big use of it can become, not offensive, but annoying.

'Anata' can be offensive. I remember inquiring at a Japanese language school. The tanto kept addressing me as 'anata' which was annoying because obviously she didn't think of me as a customer, nor think me important enough to ask my name. Turned out the place was a visa factory for laborers, not a proper school at all.

[chryuop]

Thanks a lot for you answers. Kirakiraさん thank you very much for that list and your detailed explanation.

[yuukilovesbrownies]

I have a question since we're on the subject of pronouns. When is it appropriate to use 僕(ぼく) and 俺(おれ)? I know 俺 can be seen as rude, but I've notices many young Japanese guys use it. 僕 sounds kinda childish and 私 is almost exclusively used by females. I'm a 14 year old guy who is a beginner in Japanese. What pronoun would be most appropriate for me to use?