🇯🇵 Japanese
日本語 • Kana + Kanji
Pronouns you actually use (I / you / we)
Choose the right ‘you’, and get comfortable with the most common pronoun patterns.
What to know
These are the patterns that matter most at beginner level.
- Japanese often omits pronouns if context is clear.
- A safe beginner politeness level is です/ます.
- Particles (は/が/を/に/で/の) mark roles — they are the ‘big idea’.
私は学生です。
Watashi wa gakusei desu
I am a student.
これは私の本です。
Kore wa watashi no hon desu
This is my book.
ここにいます。
Koko ni imasu
I am here.
水がほしいです。
Mizu ga hoshii desu
I want water.
わかりません。
Wakarimasen
I don't understand.
英語を話しますか？
Eigo o hanashimasu ka
Do you speak English?
トイレはどこですか？
Toire wa doko desu ka
Where is the toilet?
これは私の友だちです。
Kore wa watashi no tomodachi desu
This is my friend.
Practice tip
Take one sentence and swap the subject: I → you → we.
- Say it slowly first, then at normal speed.
- If the verb changes, learn the ‘you’ form as a pair.
Mini‑quiz
Mini-quiz
1/8 • Score: 0
Which sentence matches “I am a student.”?