Japanese word

君

Pronunciation

Romajikimi

Meaning

  • pronounyou

Example

君も学生です。kimi mo gaku sei de su

You are a student too.

Illustration for 君 (you)

More examples

これは君へのプレゼントです。ko re wa kimi e no pu re ze n to de su

This is a present for you.

Core concept

Addresses one familiar or socially junior person directly, with a tone that can range from warm to blunt depending on the relationship.

Common phrases

  • 君に会うkimi ni a u

    meet you

Similar words

あなたanata: A pronoun for addressing one person directly, often when the name or title is not used.
お前omae: A very direct pronoun for addressing a familiar person, often with a rough or intimate tone.
あんたanta: A direct pronoun for addressing one person, with a casual tone that can sound rough.

Definition in Japanese

話し手が、親しみを感じる同等または目下の相手を指して用いる二人称の代名詞。hana shi te ga shita shi mi o kan ji ru dō tō ma ta wa me shita no ai te o sa shi te mochi i ru ni nin shō no dai mei shi

Word origin

君 (kimi, "you") developed from an older title for a respected person, with the meaning later extending to a familiar second-person pronoun.

Usage tips

  • 君 (kimi) is more direct than a neutral English "you," so speakers usually avoid it with strangers and people of higher status.

Related words

  • 君たちkimitachiyou allpronoun
  • 君らkimirayou guyspronoun

Word lists with this word