Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Japanese term or phrase:
kimi
English translation:
you
Jul 20, 2004 22:01
22 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Japanese term
Corina
kimi
I hear this often on Japanese-language tapes/shows, but I can't find it in my Japanese/English dictionary. I believe it is a pronoun, since it is usually in the context of "kimi wa," but I'm not sure.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +4 | you |
conejo
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| 5 +5 | you |
Eddie Wingeståhl
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Proposed translations
+4
30 mins
Selected
you
This means "you", and is mostly used by men. However, if you are learning the Japanese language, it's best to be careful with the usage of the word you--"kimi," "anata," etc, because it is not used in the same way, or as frequently as in English. Another thing to be careful of is that using the words "kimi" or "anata" can sound cold, or even rude, if used incorrectly. Most of the time the word "you" is omitted because it is understood in the context, or the person's name is used instead. Ex: if you are talking to Mariko, you would omit it altogether, or say "Mariko-san wa.." instead of "anata wa" or "kimi wa".
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
bistefano
: roughly speaking, there is a kind of three-level hierarchy in speech, when you say "you" to someone in japanese : "polite", "plain/OK" and "raw/unpolite" - KIMI falls in the last category (but can be used when the relationship permits harsh way of speakin
1 hr
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| agree |
ejprotran
2 hrs
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| agree |
Minoru Kuwahara
: i regard it as a not so blant way of addressing someone very young. but i never recommend you use it to call anyone in a formal relationship, say, in business conversation. you may also never use it to address eldery men and women.-
8 hrs
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| agree |
karmarkara
: agree
1 day 7 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+5
18 mins
Eddie Wingeståhl
Sweden
Sweden
Works in field
Sweden
Quick, accurate, experienced!
Native in: Swedish
Works in: Japanese to Swedish, English to Swedish, Danish to Swedish, and 2 more.
you
Kimi means "you", 2nd person singular. It's supposedly used more by men, but I don't know, I seem to hear women use it as well.
(PS: Maybe you should get a better dictionary, this is a pretty basic word...)
(PS: Maybe you should get a better dictionary, this is a pretty basic word...)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Will Matter
: one of the seemingly innumerable ways to say "you" in Japanese.
2 mins
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| agree |
Kurt Hammond
: It is frequently used by older people to address younger people or by men to address women sometimes. It is not an honorific way to address someone. Do not use "kimi" unless you know the other person. With all 'you' pronouns, there are nuances to be aware
11 mins
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| neutral |
bistefano
: Housewife to maid, can use "kimi" too - it's not just a matter of gender, but also of relationship between the two parties involved (social status, friendship, etc.)
2 hrs
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| agree |
Dave REESE
: For your reference, the kanji is 君
2 hrs
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| agree |
Minoru Kuwahara
: both men and women could use it to address, well, younger guys. ;) -
8 hrs
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| agree |
Supriya
2 days 9 hrs
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Discussion
Between male friends (if teenagers), they'd use the harsher "omae" frequently made in "omee" which is Kanto dialect, but now spread all over Japan, as sounds "cool" to young generations