1.
we; us (humble)
A humble first-person plural pronoun used to refer to oneself and one's group, typically in business or formal settings when speaking to customers, superiors, or outsiders.
A humble (謙譲語) first-person plural pronoun. The ども suffix is a humble pluralizer that lowers the speaker's status relative to the listener. Very common in business Japanese.
Forms
私 (I) + 共 (humble plural suffix). The suffix ども can also attach to other words, but 私共 is by far the most common combination.
Usage
Used when representing one's company, organization, or family to outsiders. Appropriate in formal correspondence, customer service, and business meetings. Not used in casual conversation.
Similar words
- 私たち: neutral "we" — standard and appropriate in most situations
- 我々: "we" — formal and assertive, used in speeches and official statements
- 弊社: "our company" (humble) — specifically for one's own company, while 私共 can refer to any in-group