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僕
boku
I (male)
僕は学生です。
I am a student.
informal
I (used by males, typically younger or in informal contexts)
僕はそれを知らない。
I don't know that.
僕は君が好きだ。
I like you.
Commonly used by boys and young men. Can sound childish or overly casual if used by adult men in formal settings.
formal
I (used by males in humble or modest speech, often in literature or formal writing)
僕の意見を述べさせていただきます。
Let me state my opinion.
Used to express humility, often in speeches or written works.
Pro Tip
When to use 僕
Use 僕 when speaking to friends, family, or in informal situations if you are male. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings unless you are intentionally adopting a humble tone.
Gold Rule
Gender and register
僕 is male-specific and informal. Do not use it if you are female or in formal contexts unless you are mimicking a literary or humble style.
Word Origin
From classical Japanese, originally meaning 'servant' or 'attendant'. The kanji 僕 depicts a person carrying a burden on their back, implying a humble or lowly position. Over time, it evolved into a first-person pronoun used by males.
Usage Notes
1. 僕 is gender-specific and typically used by males. Females rarely use it unless in very casual contexts or for stylistic reasons. 2. In formal writing, 僕 can sound humble but may be avoided by adult men in professional settings. 3. In modern casual speech, 僕 is often replaced by 俺 (ore) by some males, though 俺 can sound rough or assertive. 4. In literature or anime/manga, 僕 is frequently used to emphasize a character's youth or innocence.
Word Breakdown
人
person
root亻
person (left radical)
prefix和英辞典