The Hidden Rules of Language Usage
Table of Contents
1. Can First-Person Pronouns Be Used for a Third Party?
2. How to use “僕、何歳？“
3. Is “友達たち” unnatural?
4. The Difference Between “友” and “友達“
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: I have seen an adult ask a small child, “僕、何歳？” Since “僕” is a first-person pronoun, can it be used to refer to someone else?
Also, are there any other first-person pronouns that are used in a similar way?
A: Adults typically use “僕、何歳？” when speaking to boys, but it is rare to use other first-person pronouns in the same way.
How to use “僕、何歳？“
This expression is used when an adult assumes a boy’s response, “（ぼくは）〇歳,” and quotes it in their speech.
In other words, when an adult asks a boy this question, they use this phrasing to clearly indicate that the question is directed at the boy.
[Example]
大人：「僕、何歳なの？」
男の子：「3歳。」
Adult: “How old are you?”
Boy: “I’m three years old.”
Now, do adults ask girls in the same way, saying “わたし、何歳？”?
In reality, this is rarely used.
Perhaps this is because “わたし” can be used by both genders, making it a broader term, which may create ambiguity about who is being addressed.
When speaking to girls, adults often omit the first-person pronoun or use special forms of address such as “お嬢さん” or “お嬢ちゃん.”
(“お嬢ちゃん” has a more childlike nuance than “Ojōsan” and is more commonly used by older individuals.)
[Example]
大人：「（お嬢さん）、何歳かな？」
女の子：「5歳だよ。」
Adult: “How old are you?”
Girl: “I’m three years old.”
Q: Is “友達たち” unnatural?
A: “達” and “たち”both indicate plurality, so they cannot be used together redundantly.
The Difference Between “友” and “友達“
[Meaning]
Indicates plurality
[Usage]
A suffix attached to nouns or pronouns
[Commonly Used With]
わたし、ぼく、大人、子供、君, etc.
[Examples]
わたし達は電車で行きますが、社長は車でいらっしゃるようです。
We will go by train, but the president will go by car.
子供達は公園で遊んでいます。
The children are playing in the park.
僕達のチームはとても強いです。
Our team is very strong.
[The Difference Between “友” and “友達“]
Both “友” and “友達” mean “close companions” or “friends.” However, “友” has a formal and literary tone, so it is rarely used in everyday conversation. In contrast, “友達” is frequently used in casual speech.
[Examples]
彼は永遠の友です。(Written, literary language)
He is an eternal friend.
わたし達、ずっと友達だよ。(Spoken language, casual)
We will always be friends.
[Is “友達たち” Strange?]
Since “達” already indicates plurality, and “友” represents a group of close companions, adding “たち” to “友達” creates redundancy, making the expression unnatural.
In Japanese, “友達” can refer to both a single friend and multiple friends. This may be because the word itself implies a group of friends or a social network, making an explicit plural marker unnecessary.
[Examples]
今日は友達とカフェに行きました。
Today, I went to a café with a friend.
⇒ The number of friends is unclear.
友達と図書館で勉強します。
I will study at the library with a friend.
⇒ The number of friends is unclear.
太郎くんはぼくの友達なんだ。
Taro is my friend.
⇒ Clearly refers to a single person (Taro).
クラスの友達、みんなでサッカーの練習をした。
I practiced soccer with all my classmates who are my friends.
⇒ Clearly refers to multiple people.
Summary
[「僕、何歳？」]
- Adults use the phrase by assuming a boy’s response, “（ぼくは）〇歳,” and quoting it in their speech.
- When asking the same question to a girl, expressions like “お嬢さん” or “お嬢ちゃん” may be used.
[Usage of “達“]
- “達” indicates plurality.
- “友達たち” is redundant, so this expression is not used.
- In Japanese, “友達” is used regardless of whether it refers to one friend or multiple friends.
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