Don't Mention It

Generally, Japanese people avoid using words equivalent to "I", "me", and "you". They will, instead, use a name, a title, or simply omit the reference if it is clear from context.

Still, there are times when you simply need to use these pronouns to set the context, or to make it clear who you are talking about. Also, you will hear these words often in poems and songs.

So, here are the pronouns most commonly used in everyday Japanese (as we know it):

anata

you. Polite and familiar; most common

kimi

you. Familiar.

omae

you. To address someone of lesser standing.

kisama

you. Rough, insulting; not polite

watakushi

I, me.

watakushi-tachi

us, we.

watashi

I, me. Variant of watakushi; most commonly heard

watashi-tachi

us, we. Variant of watakushi-tachi; most commonly heard

boku

I, me. Used by young males refering to themselves.

ore

I, me. Rough, not polite

uchi

I, me, home. Sort of "me and my personal context"