Thanks for the video Mai-san. My Japanese friends use "ore" basically all the time, however when I use it they said it's strange for foreigners to call themselves "ore".
Ah~, actually, when they were boys, they naturally used "ore". But as they grow up, they have to use "watashi" or "boku" at work. But as a remnant of their childhood, they still use "ore" with family and friends. It may sound unnatural when foreigners deliberately study "ore" and use it. It's difficult to explain... 😥
Thank you for illuminating these important aspects of Japanese culture. I did once ask a Japanese acquaintance his age, and now I understand his reaction. I am sorry I caused him pain.
I did not know "omae" is a rude word; in fact I never even heard that word before! What does it mean? Thank you Mai for teaching us! I definitely learned learned new things from this video! ☺
Thank you for another great video, マイ先生 😊I really look forward to your videos. For the last 2, I don't ask those questions in English either. I can't think of a time I've ever wanted to ask someone if they are married. Usually it is apparent through context, but it's not the kind of thing I talk about unless someone brings it up themselves. And I would only ask someone's age if it's relevant to something I am talking about, usually with someone I know well. I don't use 俺 because I think it sounds rough and for foreign speakers it sounds like they are trying too hard to sound natural/casual but it has the opposite effect. However, I do use 僕 instead of 私, as I thought 私 was percieved as feminine outside of a work/formal setting. Is 僕 ok to use generally or should I use 私 instead? Thank you for your help as always. 😄
@@studywithmai. I went to Japan over the New year 2024 for a holiday. I plan to visit again. It would be nice to live in Japan longer but this isn't practical (and my Japanese is not good)🙂
Except of „you” chapter my experience with Japanese people is radically different. Most use „ore”, of course in very informal talk, „hara hetta” not so much but also heard it a ton of times from kids especially, little gluttons… questions about whether you’re married or not - never heard it so can’t say, but age question is extremely common
This maybe a male perspective, but in a casual context おれ should be fine. At least I was told so by most men in Japan over 60. Of course I use わたし in a formal context, but with my wife or close friends I either use おれ when I am serious and わし when I am messing around. There is also 僕, but I have been strongly advised to not use it with people I didn’t went to school with.
Indeed, my father is over 60 and also uses "ore." The manager in his 60s at the company where I previously worked also used the word "ore" when speaking to his subordinates. 😃
I am really glad I do not like manga at all :D It seems like learners will pick up many bad habits if they rely too much on manga. Of course, it helps with immersion and making the learning fun. So I have to see that I compensate for that. I think and hope I do with "regular" media. Maybe I just need to be careful about not ending up speaking in posh Edo-period Japanese lol
It really is not that hard, if you think about it. If you are watching a crime drama and use the language the criminals do - guess how people are going to react? Just consider language levels when consuming media, it's usually very obvious from the context.
I like this, the few sentences i used in Japan were a succes. I could even make a joke whilst making a reservation. I wish to return to Japan. Studying Japanese with an app is mediocre at best.
I believe that this problem of not having a partner and children will unfortunately last, as japanese people tend not to talk about such things as children and marriage status. To solve the problem it has to be discussed, I think.
ありがとうございますまいせんせい! You explain things very well and its great to hear things from a conversational perspective. Is ぼく not used much for 'I' either? The app Busuu also recommended 私 at all times, but said something about ぼく being less masculine, and おれ being overly masculine?
So much depends on context. Boku is fine for casual conversation with people you know well. Watashi is safer overall in other situations. Ore is just not something most foreigners should use as it can be perceived as odd or rude when used incorrectly.
There are other words you might hear in anime that are even worse (A certain disabled character's name in South Park). It's probably better not to even bring them up (or you may feel uncomfortable even saying them). Too many english speakers like to try out words, but it's like dropping the "N-bomb" in english, you can instantly start a fight. おれ seems like "dude" in english. Even if I'm close with a foreign speaker, it would be strange to hear them say, dude. And calling someone you're not close to dude (or buddy, boy, kid) is definitely an insult, if you're not much older and being a smiling helpful person. In my very limited experience, Japanese has many fewer insult words. It is the many words for I and you, he, they that are used for insults or to create social distance. あなた in particular is very hard for me not to use, because I don't remember names well. I've found it's often better to leave it out if "you" or "your" is understood from context.
What about asking a child how old they are? For example, my 5 year old is playing in the park, and another child joins them. I ask them what’s their name, introduce my child. Is it ok to ask the child how old they are?
@@studywithmai.Thank you so much! Our 5 year old just started school and I don’t want to scare away the Japanese family in her class! (Secretly hope they can be my language learning partners!)
I have a question. In USA people that are too young are not allowed to buy some things like alcoholic drinks. I don't know if laws like this exist in Japan, but if so, would it be OK to ask a person's age in this situation?
