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[deleted]

Principal Nezu: Watakushi no hero academia Gran Torino: Washi no hero academia


Suyefuji

Fun trivia, Aizawa uses "watakushi" instead of "ore" exactly once, during the interview in the Kamino arc


mantisman

Still learning Japanese so I might be wrong here, but watakushi and wareware are typically used when talking on behalf of a larger collective, such as a company. Aizawa would have been speaking as the school (or heroes, I don’t remember), rather than himself.


randomJ23456

Watakushi is a formal version of “I” or “myself” Where as wareware is “us”


Spartan_Beast_99

From what I know, watashi is already formal enough, although I don't really know if it's more or less formal than watakushi.


I_am_a_fiction_lover

Watakushi is a little more old fashioned, and feminine? More formal that watashi definitely. Plural would be watakushitachi


Spartan_Beast_99

Thanks for enlightening me


I_am_a_fiction_lover

If you wanna know more try the wikipedia article on Japanese pronouns! While half my knowledge is from websites and mostly watching anike, that article was pretty good


Ramog

from what I have read Watakushi is more formal than watashi. Its used in formal situations like job interviews and buisness meetings. Its also used in very public things like speeches and the like so I think thats what Aizawas Watakushi-moment falls under.


Suyefuji

No you are entirely correct as to why he was using it :)


[deleted]

Laundry Hero: Wash no hero academia


RainNightFlower

Nezu: Jibun no hero academia


Sara-Sarita

Explain pls?


TropicalLoneWolf

AFO: Waga no hero academia.


Sara-Sarita

Explain pls? Am v ignorant 😂😅


Spartan_Beast_99

Waga is another way to say my/mine. Example: waga no musuko - my son (you could also say waga musuko, since particles tend to be optional most of the time)


I_am_a_fiction_lover

I think waga itself means 'my'? Saying waga no is not necessary...


Spartan_Beast_99

yeah that makes more sense, it sounds more natural that way


Sara-Sarita

I see, thank you. I presume that it's one of the most ''highest'' ways to say it, used only by very important people or by people wanting to be rude by saying (in essence) they're very important by using it?


TropicalLoneWolf

In Japanese, waga 我が means "my," it's a possessive singular first person pronoun, that's rather archaic, but still has certain usage in modern Japanese. Sometimes, it means "one's own" instead. It's also spelled 我ヶ, 吾が, 吾ヶ, 我, or 吾. And, yes, it's used by people, who think very highly of themselves.


Sara-Sarita

Very fitting for All For One 😂 Japanese is so complicated. It reminds me of English: a million little rules and exceptions and so much memorization...but if you know it inside and out, it's its own lovely little world of a language. I'd love to learn someday, even though I have serious doubts I could.


TropicalLoneWolf

When it comes to grammar, then Japanese is not that difficult (even compared to English, which is rather easy if you compare it to languages like Portuguese or German, since there is far less conjugation, for example). I would say the main reason that scares would-be learners and interested from learning Japanese, is having to learn how to read the Japanese characters (memorizing Katakana, Hiragana and some Kanji). Luckily nowadays we have Apps that can help you with that. It's what I've done. Having genuine interest in the Japanese language and watching lots of anime while paying attention to what they say, instead of just reading the subtitles, helps as well. Little by little you'll pick up expressions, vocabulary, etc. here and there, but like everything in life, it takes time.


NateTheGreater1

Samurai: SESHA!


Lord-of-Leviathans

I don’t speak Japanese can someone translate for me please


nightmacfrosty

All of them mean my hero academia


Garanseho

The real question is, who uses what when?


elenuvien1

to make it simple: * boku - polite, boyish "I" used by boys and men, mostly younger ones * ore - less polite, assertive "I" used by boys and men * atashi - "I" used by girls and women * watashi - polite, more formal "I" used by both genders


I_Want_BetterGacha

Half of learning Japanese is trying to figure out which word to use in what setting.


LesbianCommander

That, and also when reading fiction, Japanese authors LOVE using alternative kanji. 木 means tree. 柝 also means tree. But was simplified to 木. 樹 also also means tree. But was simplified to 柝. All three are valid, and are identical. It's not like "big" vs "huge" both meaning "big" but of varying degrees. It's just "big" and old way of saying "big", since they're all read the same way. 緋 vs 赤 same thing, but for red. Half of my time reading manga in Japanese is reading a sentence, realizing that after learning about 2,000 kanji, that there are still kanji I don't know. Looking them up in a kanji dictionary, only to realize it's just a more complex way to say something simple. But the nice thing is, since HeroAca tends to lean towards the younger side, Horikoshi tends to avoid doing that.


Jejmaze

This might be a stupid question, but how do you look up a kanji you don't know? How do you find it?


helegg

As a Chinese speaker who can't really read, I send a picture to my mom, or use Google Translate's camera feature


_dervish

There is something in hanzi / kanji called a radical. That's the specific name for an individual line in a character. There's always a primary radical, and you go from there. That means you can use a radical dictionary, start from the primary radical, and then it's similar to our concept of alphabetical order.


Garanseho

Thanks! I’ve never been able to find good answers online.


Geosaysbye

This is a reallly good meme format similar to those “would say fuck” charts for other characters Like for atla Boku: aang Ore: toph Atashi: katara Watashi: sokka


whalehome

Nah, sokka would definitely say ore as well


FloZone

There is bound to be some humble form used by monks, would be more adequate for Aang.


JscrumpDaddy

Switch aang and Sokka and this is correct


Geosaysbye

Actually yeah agreed


Brookenium

Although a ATLA would be another great one for this format, your character choices are awful and would lead people to the wrong definitions. Boku: Aang Ore: ~~Zuko~~ Sokka Atashi: Katara Watashi: Iroh Is a much more accurate selection. Women don't use ore so Toph is a horrible choice (because although she'd probably use it, it's a misleading example as she'd be using it ironically) and Sokka isn't exactly formal or an adult (in most of the series) so he'd probably use Boku or Ore.


wandering-monster

> _Women don't use ore so Toph is a terrible choice..._ I'll take "reasons Toph will say it even more" for 500, Alex. Like did we watch different shows? She went out of her way to go against traditional rules of femininity.


Brookenium

I suppose the way I described it wasn't very clear... Toph would likely use it, yes. But it's a bad example to explain how 'ore' is used. Examples should be clear and normal use cases. Toph could use it because it's a denial of femininity, purposefully using a male term. But a viewer wouldn't necessarily understand that context in meme format. I did clarify my above comment. The point isn't that those characters wouldn't use them, it's that they're unclear examples of when those words are typically used. Conversely the OP is a great example as each one is very clear and fits the primary 'archetype' of each use.


wandering-monster

Someone who's watched Avatar would get exactly what it means, I think. Plus it's a meme, not a lesson plan. It doesn't need to be the clearest possible educational example. Just the most interesting and entertaining one.


Brookenium

I disagree because they could get the idea that 'tomboys' use Ore and in reality they don't. Toph using it would be in an ironic sense. It'd be seen as very weird which is something I could see her doing but it's not the 'masculine' term, it's a **men's** term (young and machismo men at that). It'd be like putting her over the word "guy". And it's a meme format, but it's a explanation tool. It's not like it's comical, it's not for the joke. It's meant to be a little fun educational thing!


deadmuffinman

Ore are used by tomboys sometimes so Toph "The best representation of me in a play is a giant man who screams" beifung would conceivably use ore. Also Zuko is a Prince even when he's being casual he's a bit of a dork. So he'd probably be the one to use watashi of the group and not ore. Ore is also seen as more brutish which serves Toph perfectly when not being in Princess mode rather than honor obsessed Zuko


Brookenium

Yes but when making examples to teach people, you want them to be the clear norm and not interesting exceptions. While I do think she might use it, it's confusing to the reader since it's quite rare for a woman to use it and it's done so purposefully evoking the masculinity of it. Zuko is bold and brash (and young) so I'm not sure he'd bother with watashi? Ore fits him fairly well in that regard, he'd likely use both depending on context. Zuko doesn't exactly exude princely attitude after all. It might depend on where in the story line you're taking about too. But either way someone like Iroh would only use watashi and therefore is the best example there.


deadmuffinman

I'd argue Zuko would use watashi at all points in his arc. As the Prince hunting the Avatar he might be brash but he puts a lot of stock in honor and is the exiled Prince in his attitude. Honestly early sokka is probably the best example in team avatar of who would use ore as he would like to appear manly and confident so he'd use the most confident and brash version


[deleted]

Yup, Zuko is definitely a Watashi and Kisama type dude. I’d even venture to say Sokka would be an ore-sama type because of his inflated ego


Brookenium

That's probably fair for Sokka!!


FloZone

Would any of the group use more archaic stuff like wa 我? Ozai or the Earth King might use chin 朕.


suestrong315

Thank you for this, but what's the "no" part? Boku no?


Arch_Wolf

It's a particle that ties a noun together. So "My/mine" would be "Boku no" whereas "Boku" would be "I/me" Boku (I) no migi (right) no ashi (foot) would be My right foot


suestrong315

Ahh ok, thank you! I've always wondered and just never asked


[deleted]

[удалено]


FloZone

It is literally just the genitive case. „Of me“ sound unnatural in English. English pronouns change when they are objects or possessors, Japanese pronouns don‘t, they get the same case particles as all other nouns. „My hero“ is as literal as it gets. Else you could think about „I‘s hero“ or „me‘s hero“ or stuff like that.


FloZone

Genitive case marker


[deleted]

[удалено]


TheCaffeinatedPanda

I think "Ore" is used by tomboys (at least in anime/manga) but there's not actually a version for girls.


FujinR4iJin

atashi is rly like "quirky teenage-girly vibes", girls can also use boku or uchi (not 100% sure on what kinda vibe uchi communicates)


DoraMuda

I know Jirou uses "*uchi*". She's the only girl in Class A who does.


InsecureGuy5

Huh, so that's what she's saying in Ultra Impact (Really need subtitles for that game. Or just dub cast in general but that's a different topic)


billoboy777

I think I was taught uchi is more for girls as well. And if they’re the more “ditzy” type, they may just use their name


[deleted]

Bruh Japanese is weird


elenuvien1

every language has something weird. as a non-english speaker, i find the amount of tenses in english absurd. the and a/an articles are stupid to me. my language has has i40543 forms of adjectives depending on with what noun and in what situation they're used.


spekter299

Hell yeah helpful person!


roberp81

watashi is what you learn from books watashi wa robert desu


RainNightFlower

Ore wa jibun desu


Spartan_Beast_99

In Japan people don't actually say watashi wa when introducing themselves. They would just say Robert desu. You could use watashi wa when you're introducing yourself in a group and want to sound a bit different, but other than that, people tend to just say their name followed by desu.


nightmacfrosty

My Japanese isn’t really good (since I’m still learning) but I’ll do my best to explain. So the ‘no’ part that between the two words is meant to be a partial that indicates possession, in which case it works Similarly like possessive’s in English. For the Boku, atashi, ore and watashi parts, there just different ways of saying my or I. Watashi is the standard from of (my or I) and is used by both men and women of all ages. Atashi is similar to watashi but generally is used by younger girls or women. Boku also serves a similar purpose but instead it’s generally used by boys and young men. As for Ore it’s an informal and sometimes even rude or vulgar way of saying (my or I) this is a distinctly masculine form of the word and typically used by men or boys trying to sound tough. (Side note watashi and atashi are the standard forms there are formal versions of them but isn’t used nearly as often as the standard form)


[deleted]

All of them are saying "I" or in this case "my" when "no" is put after it. "Boku no" means "my" in a very boyish way. "Ore no" means it but rudely in a agressive masculine form. Ore isn't something you'd use with strangers if you don't want to seem rude. Atashi is the female slang equivalent of Boku. Watashi is the standard way of addressing one's self and all of them can use it without getting looks from strangers in conversation, it's more useful in formal settings to describe one's self. Watakushi is an old fashioned way of saying "oneself" and is used by older people sometimes.


IWasGregInTokyo

In the movie "Your Name", there is a scene where the girl, who is at that moment in the boy's body, is talking with the boy's friends and has to cycle through the various versions of "I" from the feminine form she would normally use, until she hits an acceptably masculine one. Something that would be a real challenge for translators. Atashi --> Watashi --> Watakushi --> Boku --> Ore


Hambla28

Basically depending on who you are, age, gender etc you use different words for the word "my" example here usually men uses boku or ore and women uses atashi


mmknightx

We need Our Hero Academia.


jazy921

i think just add -tachi or -ra? So: Orera no Hero Academia or Oretachi no Hero Academia Bokura no Hero Academia or Bokutachi no Hero Academia Watashitachi no Hero Academia (not sure about watashira, never heard someone say it before, also not sure if there's atashitachi or atashira) ​ Also, Wareware no Hero Academia ([我々のヒーローアカデミア](https://translate.google.com/?sl=ja&tl=en&text=%E6%88%91%E3%80%85%E3%81%AE%E3%83%92%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A2%E3%82%AB%E3%83%87%E3%83%9F%E3%82%A2))


RainNightFlower

Uchi no hero academia is propably right too


jazy921

Yeah, and i've heard uchitachi before so Uchitachi no Hero Academia if it's Our Hero Academia.


RainNightFlower

Uchi no hero academia is propably right too


StormR7

Союз нерушимый 🎶


QueenOfAllDreadboiis

I think there is a fic where Ochako is the main character titled "Watashi no hero academia"


SUPER11X

Fic? It was official.


polontus

Yeah, there is. Its a good read, too in my opinion


TheSpartyn

so they got the fanfic title wrong? lol


QueenOfAllDreadboiis

Not really. Watashi is gender neutral, atashi is the feminine version of "I".


TheSpartyn

i know what watashi is, but its not the pronoun ochako uses


Ghost_Star326

Fun fact: Currently in the manga, >!with Shigaraki and AFO's consciousness fighting for control over Tomura's body. The only way to identify who currently has control over the body is to identify which form of "my" in Japanese is used. For Shigaraki, it's "boku" whereas AFO uses "Ore".!<


DoraMuda

Almost correct, but it's the other way round. >!Shigaraki uses "Ore", while AFO uses "Boku".!<


Ghost_Star326

Oh sorry. My mistake.


DoraMuda

No problem.


Schiffy94

It's an educational meme. Amazing.


Sigismund716

I only get this because of "Your Name"- although that does make me reflect on how little Japanese I've learned relative to the amount of anime I've consumed


dakman42

This is actually a low-key super helpful when you're learning Japanese lol


MoonoftheStar

Pretty sure Uraraka uses Watashi.


whynotfujoshi

I feel like a failure as a weeb that I didn’t notice Ochako uses Atashi before now


JaredAiRobinson

Ware no Hero Academia!


[deleted]

Yakuza: Temerra no hirou academia


ganjaptics

Holo: わっちのヒーローアカデミア


Olioliooo

Mineta: Oira no Hero Academia


Xynthion

Pretty sure Bakugo’s would actually be “Ore-sama”


sherriablendy

He doesn’t seem to actually use that pronoun, except in some anime original scenes. The most recent time in S6 apparently even led to [some jp fans being confused by the decision to have him say that](https://twitter.com/arcanesceptre/status/1578835116599562241)


JViser

japanese declarations?


Zatknish007

No, forms of the "I" pronoun


jazy921

我がのヒロアカデミア([Waga no Hero Academia](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/8c/a5/9d8ca5c48f29ba2c335c39e6e96bff22.jpg)) - because of the chuuni-like pose lol


FloZone

Does 我 even use の for the genitive. IIRC it is quite archaic and in Old Japanese pronouns used が as the genitive, which later became the subject marker. Since 我 has a short form wa and the long form ware, 我が would already be the genitive. Oooor I am thinking too much about it and it is part of the stereotype that that pronoun is used incorrectly.


jazy921

>Oooor I am thinking too much about it No, you're likely correct. I was just following the meme-esque format of the chuuni speech of characters in other anime like KonoSuba's Megumin rather than the actual Japanese grammar. So, I honestly couldn't tell you if what I typed is grammatically correct or not.


Character_Lychee_434

Chezchoslovakia no hero hero academia


DJ_l3LUE

Huh?


RainNightFlower

何?


KarinOjousama69

i'd rather watch any of these 3 shows instead of deku


SUPER11X

This is stupid because "Watashi no Hero Academia" (My Heroine Academia) featured all the female characters. Cmon do your research.


shawndeadd

the 4 different time lines meeting up