私
watashipronoun★Beginner
formalinformal
I, me (first-person pronoun used to refer to oneself)
私は学生です。
I am a student.
私に教えてください。
Please teach me.
💡
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal than '僕' (boku) or '俺' (ore).
Collocations
私にto me私をme (object)私たちwe, us
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
私自身phrase
myself
私にとってphrase
for me
💡Pro Tip
Gender and Formality
While '私' is gender-neutral, it is often perceived as more feminine in informal contexts. Men may prefer '僕' (boku) or '俺' (ore) in casual speech.
⚡Gold Rule
Subject Marker
In Japanese, the subject is often omitted, but when used, '私' is typically followed by 'は' (wa) to mark the topic.
📖Word Origin
Derived from Classical Japanese 'waga' (我が), meaning 'my' or 'mine', with the honorific prefix 'wa-'.
📝Usage Notes
While '私' is gender-neutral, it is more commonly used by women in formal contexts. Men may use '僕' (boku) or '俺' (ore) in informal settings.
Word Breakdown
私
I, me
root✎ Noted on May 2, 2026JA → EN