あなた
あなた
pronoun
you
1.
you (polite, neutral)
Second person pronoun used in polite or neutral contexts.
あなたのお名前は？
What is your name?
Polite inquiry
あなたはどう思いますか。
What do you think?
あなたの意見を聞かせてください。
Please let me hear your opinion.
あなたがいなかったら、私はここまで来られなかったと思います。
If it weren't for you, I don't think I could have made it this far.
あなたのことは大切な友達だと思っているので、何かあったらいつでも相談してください。
I think of you as an important friend, so please come to me anytime something comes up.
2.
you, dear (to spouse)
Term of address used by wives when speaking to their husbands.
あなた、大丈夫？
Dear, are you okay?
Wife to husband
あなた、聞いてる？
Dear, are you listening?
あなた、疲れているなら先に寝てもいいよ。
Dear, if you're tired, you can go to bed first.
あなた、来週の日曜日に子供たちとどこか出かけない？
Dear, shall we go out somewhere with the kids next Sunday?
あなた、最近仕事が忙しそうだけど、無理しないで体のことも大切にしてね。
Dear, you seem busy with work lately, but please don't push yourself and take care of your health.
あなた is the standard second person pronoun, but its usage is more limited than English "you."
USAGE NOTES:
- In daily conversation, Japanese speakers often avoid pronouns entirely, using names or titles instead
- Using あなた too frequently can sound cold or confrontational
- In formal settings, use the person's name + さん/様 instead
SPOUSAL USAGE:
- Wives commonly address husbands as あなた (dear)
- Husbands typically don't use あなた for wives; they use names or お前/きみ
WHEN TO AVOID:
- With superiors (use name/title)
- With strangers (can sound rude)
- When the subject is clear from context (omit entirely)
OTHER "YOU" WORDS:
- きみ: casual, male speaker to close friend/subordinate
- お前: casual/rough, between close friends
- 貴方様: very formal written form
Related Words
Related:
お前 (you (casual))