Japanese Conversation · Level 32
90 words
Japanese word
お前
Pronunciation
Romajiomae
Meaning
- pronounyou
Example
「お前はどう思う」と彼は聞きました。o mae wa dō omo u to kare wa ki ki ma shi ta
He asked what you thought.
More examples
この場では相手を尊重して、お前と言わないようにします。ko no ba de wa ai te o son chō shi te o mae to i wa na i yō ni shi ma su
In this situation, I will show respect by avoiding the word omae.
Core concept
It marks the listener as the person being addressed, with a stronger and more personal tone than a neutral form of "you".
Common phrases
お前に任せるo mae ni maka se ru
leave it to you
お前の考えo mae no kanga e
your idea
お前の意見o mae no i ken
your opinion
Similar words
あなたanata: A common pronoun used when speaking directly to one person.
君kimi: A familiar form of address used toward someone in a close or informal relationship.
あんたanta: A direct form of address that can sound rough or overly familiar.
Definition in Japanese
対話の相手を指して用いる二人称の語。親しい相手や目下の相手に使われる一方、立場や関係によっては無礼に響く。tai wa no ai te o sa shi te mochi i ru ni nin shō no go shita shi i ai te ya me shita no ai te ni tsuka wa re ru ip pō tachi ba ya kan kei ni yo tte wa bu rei ni hibi ku
Word origin
お前 (omae) developed from 御前 (omae, "in front of someone"), where 御 (o, "honorific") modifies 前 (mae, "front"); the former respectful wording gradually became a less formal way to address someone.
Usage tips
- When Japanese dialogue uses お前 (omae), English subtitles often use the plain word "you", leaving the relationship and the speaker's attitude to be understood from the surrounding scene.