| In Japanese a distinction is made between how women speak and
how men speak. Most of these differences can be brought back to
the use of certain words, though especially the informal speech
has a slightly different grammar for women and men.
Women can often leave out the (da) at the end of sentences, while
men should never do so. Women may also use the emphatic particle
(wa) at the end of sentences. Men may do this on occasion, depending
on the area of Japan you are in, but as a general rule it's wise
for men not to use it as it sounds very effeminate.
The use of the question particle (ka) in informal speech can as
a rule only be used by men since it sounds tough.
In general, tough sounding words and phrases are only used by men.
However, especially in large cities like Tokyo and Osaka you will
hear more and more young women using those words and phrases as
well.
| Feminine forms |
Masculine forms |
きれいね。 (Kirei ne.) It's pretty isn't it?
行くわ。 (Iku wa.) I'm leaving.
行きますわ。 (Ikimasu wa.) I'm leaving.
行く? (Iku?) Are you leaving?*
行くかしら。 (Iku ka shira.) I may be leaving. |
きれいだね。 (Kirei da ne.) It's pretty isn't it?*
行く。 (Iku.) I'm leaving.*
行きます。 (Ikimasu.) I'm leaving.*
行くか。 (Iku ka.) Are you leaving?
行くかもしれない。 (Iku ka mo shirenai.)
I may be leaving.* |
| * marks that this form can be used
by both women and men. |
| |
| Feminine words |
Masculine words |
あたし (atashi) I, me
私 (watashi) I, me*
君 (kimi) you (singular)* |
僕 (Boku) I, me
俺 (Ore) I, me (street slang)
お前 (O-mae) you (singular) (street slang) |
| * marks that this word can be used
by both women and men. |
| |
Words used for feminine objects,
women, and small children |
Words used for masculine objects,
and men |
可愛い (kawaii) to be cute
ちゃん (chan) endearing suffix |
かっこいい (kakkoii) to be cool
君 (kun) endearing suffix |
| * marks that this word can be used
for both women and men. |
| |
Related pages:
Personal pronouns
The particle (wa) |
