It is not easy to translate “you” into Japanese.
In English, “you” can be used to address a partner, a friend, a child, or even a thief.
For instance, from simply reading the sentence “What are you doing here?” it’s impossible to guess who “you” refers to, nor the tone of the statement.
As Japanese has a rich variety of vocabulary, the way you say “you” changes depending on your relation to the person you’re speaking to.
In Japanese, there are several words for you; these include, anata, kimi, and omae.
Furthermore, each respective word has a different nuance.
The word “anata” can be used to address anybody, but it’s usually omitted and, it isn’t used much.
If a woman uses it with a man, it implies that their relationship is an intimate one.
The word “kimi” is used with one’s equals or subordinates.
It is mainly used by men.
Men use the word “omae” with subordinates or children, and can sometimes use insults like “kisama” or “temee” when they become angry.
Besides these, there are casual terms like “annta.”
“Otaku sama” is sometimes used with strangers.
In Japanese, the word used for “you” is usually omitted in conversations between two people.
In this way you can appreciate how Japanese vocabulary enriches the language making it stand out from any other in the world.
訳すのは
yakusu noha
to translate
ではありません。
deha arimasenn.
(it) is not
恋人でも、
koibito demo,
(a) partner
友達でも、
tomodachi demo,
(a) friend
子どもでも、
kodomo demo,
(a) child
に対しても
ni taishitemo
(or) even
言います。
iimasu.
can (be used) to address
たとえば、
tatoeba,
for instance
“What are you doing here?”という
What are you doing here? toiu
what are you doing here?
文を
bunn wo
(the) sentence
読んだだけ
yonnda dake
simply reading
どんな調子で
donna choushi de
(nor the) tone of (the) statement
言っているのか
itteirunoka
[saying]
わかりません。
wakarimasenn.
(it)’s impossible to guess
豊富な
houfu na
a rich variety of
話す
hanasu
(you)’re speaking to
関係
kannkei
(your) relation
表現が
hyougenn ga
(the) way (you) say
変わります。
kawarimasu.
changes
あなた、
anata,
(these include) anata
それぞれの
sorezoreno
each respective
ニュアンスが
nyuannsu ga
(a) nuance
誰にも
dare nimo
(to address) anybody
言葉です
kotoba desu
(the) word
省略されることが
shouryaku sareru kotoga
it’s omitted
使われません。
tsukaware masenn.
(it) isn’t used
女性が
jyosei ga
(a) woman
特別な関係を
tokubetsu na kannkei wo
(that their) relationship is (an) intimate (one)
意味することが多いです。
imisuru kotoga ooi desu.
(it) implies [very much]
「君」は
kimi ha
(the word) kimi
対等な
taitou na
one’s equals
目下の人に
meshita no hito ni
subordinates
使います。
tsukai masu.
is used
使うことが多いです。
tsukau koto ga ooi desu.
(it) is used mainly
言葉で、
kotoba de,
(the) word
怒った
okotta
(they) become angry
相手を侮辱する
aite wo bujyoku suru
insults
ことがあります。
kotoga arimasu.
sometimes
この他では、
kono hoka deha,
besides those
カジュアルな
kajuaru na
casual
「あんた」が
annta ga
(like) annta
見知らぬ人
mishiranu hito
strangers
「お宅様」が
otakusama ga
otaku sama
ことがあります。
kotoga arimasu.
sometimes
二人の
futari no
(between) two people
言葉は
kodoba ha
(the) word
省略されます。
shouryaku saremasu.
is omitted
このように
konoyouni
in this way
豊富さが
houfusa ga
[abundant]
日本語を
nihonngo wo
Japanese
世界に類を見ない、
sekai ni rui wo minai,
making (it) stand out from any other in (the) world
言語に
genngo ni
(the) language
わかるでしょう。
wakaru deshou.
(you) can appreciate