As I am learning Japanese, I understand that saying "you" ('anata' in Japanese) is not common, but I am having problems with trying to say something to someone about them without want to say "you".
So for example, how would I say , "You seem to be busy all the time" or "You seem to stay active."
Not as a question, but as a direct statement to the person.
Would it just be ..... itsumo isogashisou da
I'm not even sure if I have the grammar correct either.
It is actually a good question. I'm also interested in learning it.
Also, some time ago I've come across a text where it was wrote: anata-san. Is adding san to anata a more respectful way of addressing someone you do not know the name?
Well in my experience I would never use "anata" towards my sensei or someone who is above me...I dont know it would feel too weird. I use it sometimes with my friends if I need to emphasise the "you". I've also seen it used towards strangers if you didnt know their name "kono kasa wa anata no desu ka?" (Is this your Umbrella?).
Its an odd little pronoun, I dont think there is a hard and steady fast rule on how to use it.
"itsumo isogashi sou na...." if you want to express some kind of disdain...whereas if its more of a fact you can say "Itsumo isogashi sou desu ne..." If your speaking directly to the person its not necessary to add in the "anata".
Just to add: I don't think you can ever go wrong with using a person's name + さん or whatever is appropriate (くん, ちゃん, 樣, 先生, 課長, etc., or nothing). Just 課長, 先生, or whatever title is fine too, when it's clear which 課長 or 先生 you're talking to. Oh, if you're working in a store and you're talking to a patron, though, you definitely want to say お客様 when you're addressing them. I'm probably missing a lot, but I believe this is pretty much a solid rule of thumb.
Also, just an aside, I remember reading a paper arguing that Japanese doesn't have pronouns in the sense that Indo-European languages have them. That is, ever since Latin there's pretty much been a form of "I" or "you" that's been consistent in usage and form (I think Old English was "ic," but I may be remembering wrong).
However, Japanese on the other hand hasn't had this. There have been わらわ, 拙者, and それがし, for instance, used to address oneself. No one uses those anymore (you run across them in anime or 時代劇, and you might here someone jokingly use them though). Likewise 御主 and 汝（なんじ）aren't commonly used anymore for "you." Plus just looking at the modern first and second person "pronouns" you've got lots of variation. Usage is different as well (both inter- and intra-lingually).
Then there are 彼 and 彼女, words basically invented for "he" and "she" to translate Western literature during the Meiji Era . They also have uses nothing like "he" and "she" (for instance, they can mean "boyfriend" and "girlfriend," respectively, and can be modified). I found it a pretty convincing argument, but there is the issue of how other language families/groups use pronouns. I'm not too familiar with Native American languages, for instance, so I don't know. But ever since I read that I never again thought of あなた as "you" (especially since it's a word used towards one's lover to indicate that they're, well... one's lover).
Yes. You very rarely hear the "personal pronouns" being used and usually only when it isn't clear of the context, of whom you are talking to/about.
Excessive use of them only sounds weird and unnatural.
"Han-san ha itsumo isogashii desu ne" sounds good! You can say it to the person himself or to others about Him. It might feel a bit awkward at first but you get used to it!
If I don't know the person very well (nor his/her name) I often use "お宅 （おたく） (otaku)" which in a sense refers to the persons "house" (not the nerds! )
Btw: If anyone has any more info on the word and how people take it, I would be glad to hear it! My 先生 once told me to use it rather than "anata" and the dictionary only gives me so much.
Most of the Japanese don't use "I:Watashi" and "you:Anata" in daily conversation.
an instance,
What is your name?
名前は、何とおっしゃるのですか？
Namae ha Nan to Ossharu no desu ka?
I am Nangi.
南木です。
Nangi desu.
Are you busy now?
今お忙しいですか？
Ima Oisogashii desu ka?
No.
いいえ
Iie.
You seem to be busy all the time.
いつもお忙しそうなので。
Itsumo Oisogashisou nano de.
This instance is a polite speaking comparatively, but there is not "I" and "you" in Japanese. Because Japanese have a tendency to don't use "I" and "you" in daily conversation. I think you don't have to use "I" and "you" in Japanese sentence. If anything, it is seem to more natural conversation without "I" and "you".
But if you want to use "you" or something without "Anata", "person's name + san" is good I think too.
The first person pronouns are not nearly as rare as the second- and third-person pronouns are. Sometimes you need to clarify that you're talking about yourself, and while using ones own name to talk about oneself is not unheard of, my impression is that it comes off as childish.
But Glenn is right that they're not quite the same as pronouns in the Indo-European sense. My girlfriend refers to me as "boku" sometimes when she's talking to me and I don't think that's altogether unusual.
That sounds VERY unusual if you ask me.... Do you two happen to be in costumes ( you as a little boy and your GF as a kindergarten teacher, for example ) when she refers to you as "boku"?? OK, I do not hate the scene personally but it IS odd for her to be calling you that.
That sounds VERY unusual if you ask me.... Do you two happen to be in costumes ( you as a little boy and your GF as a kindergarten teacher, for example ) when she refers to you as "boku"?? OK, I do not hate the scene personally but it IS odd for her to be calling you that.
No, there's no cosplay going on. It's just that I call myself "boku" so I figure she's mimicking my way of talking. She has also addressed a friend of mine in the same way (he too calls himself "boku").
Anyway, the use of second person pronouns is not that uncommon. For example, in my family, my father refers to me as "Omae" while my mother refers to me as "Anta".
It is true, however, that in more formal settings, it is rare to hear anyone addressing another that way.
The only time I can think of that I use "Anata" is when I am on the phone with a customer representative from some company and I cannot get my way. lol
That was a somewhat heated exchange between a customer, me, who was demanding a refund of a fee for a service he never received, and a poor customer representative person who had to listen to me whine for half an hour.
No, there's no cosplay going on. It's just that I call myself "boku" so I figure she's mimicking my way of talking. She has also addressed a friend of mine in the same way (he too calls himself "boku").
You do realize the circumstances under which one normally refers to a male using "boku" as a second-person pronoun, don't you?
It is highly odd, and I'd consider it a "smile when you say that" or "you don't know me that well" appellation in most cases, but I'm assuming she likes you and is using it affectionately so it isn't something to get worked up about.
I think it is fine for children to call someone much older おじさん / おばさん. It's also OK even if you're a bit older when you are familiar/friendly with them. I think you, @Davey , are borderline too old for that. If they are your neighbors and you see them on a regular basis, how about introducing yourself to them and find out what their names are?
There are older folks I call おじさん or おばさん but that is because I have known them since I was very young. If I were to meet someone much older than myself NOW, with me as an adult myself, I wouldn't call them by those terms. Well, If they were total strangers and I couldn't think of any other way to address them......maybe.
Yeah, I would definitely introduce myself and find out what their names are and address them as so-and-so さん.
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