Language Japanese Personal and Possessive Pronouns

Japanese Personal pronouns

Although the Japanese language does have personal pronouns (人代名詞 【じんだいめいし】), they are not as commonly used as in Western languages. Using personal pronouns puts a lot of stress on the subject and can often sound either self-centred or accusatory. Instead of using personal pronouns, the Japanese prefer to refer to another person by title or function, or by that person’s name.

There are several synonyms for each personal pronoun, often with different levels of politeness. Some personal pronouns are for exclusive used by women; others are exclusively used by men.


Personal and possessive pronouns are used only in situations where there could be some confusion as to whom is referred to. Once the topic has been established pronouns are usually no longer used.

だれがウイスキーでした?
Dare ga uisukii deshita?
Who had the whisky?

あたしです。
Atashi desu.
That’s me.

へ～、ウイスキー飲みますか。
Hee, uisukii nomimasu ka.
Huh? Do you drink whisky?

Possessive pronouns

Possessive pronouns (所有代名詞 【しょゆうだいめいし】) are formed by simply placing the particle の (no) after the respective personal pronoun.


When the possessive pronoun is followed by a noun it is translated as my, your, her, and so on, when the possessive pronoun is used by itself, it is translated as mine, yours, hers, etc.

誰の手紙なの?
Dare no tegami na no?
Whose letter is it?

彼女のオートバイです。
Kanojo no ootobai desu.
It’s her motorbike.

全部僕等のだ。
Zenbu bokura no da.
It’s all ours.