How Do You Say “We” in Japanese? (And Why It’s Not That Simple)

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to say we in Japanese, only to realize that it’s not as straightforward as you thought? Maybe you were trying to say We love ramen! (because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) or We got lost in Shinjuku again (it happens to the best of us).

Well, buckle up, because Japanese doesn’t just hand you a single, easy-peasy translation for we like English does. Oh no, it’s got layers. Like an onion. Or, more appropriately, like a steaming bowl of miso ramen with extra toppings.

So, if you’re ready to level up your Japanese game (and avoid potential social faux pas), let’s break it down.

1. The Classic “We” – 私たち (Watashitachi)

Let’s start simple. If you open a textbook, it will probably tell you that we in Japanese is 私たち (watashitachi). And that’s technically correct. But here’s the catch—Japanese people don’t actually use it that much in everyday speech.

Why? Because in Japanese, pronouns are often dropped entirely if the context is clear. Instead of saying, We are going to the beach, a Japanese person might just say ビーチに行くよ (Bīchi ni iku yo)—literally, Going to the beach! No need to spell out the we unless it’s necessary.

That being said, watashitachi is still useful in certain situations, especially when you need to emphasize that you’re speaking as a group.

When to use 私たち:

✅ When you need to be clear about who you’re referring to (e.g., Watashitachi wa nihonjin desu – We are Japanese.)
✅ When speaking formally or politely ✅ When writing, especially in articles, speeches, or essays

2. The More Casual “We” – 僕たち (Bokutachi) and 俺たち (Oretachi)

Here’s where things get spicy. The word watashi is quite neutral, but Japanese has other first-person pronouns that can change the flavor of we entirely.

• 僕たち (bokutachi) – This is a softer, more humble version often used by men. It’s polite but not overly formal.
• 俺たち (oretachi) – Now this one is way more masculine and casual. It gives off a we’re bros kind of vibe and is often used among close friends.

Quick example:

🚹 Bokutachi wa issho ni asobimashou! – Let’s play together! (friendly, but polite)
🚹 Oretachi wa minna nakama da! – We’re all friends! (sounds like something from a shonen anime)

3. The “We” That Includes YOU – 私たち vs. 僕たち vs. 俺たち vs. 皆 (Mina)

Alright, time for a quick pop quiz! Let’s say you’re talking to a friend about an upcoming trip. You say:

💬 Watashitachi wa ryokō ni iku yo! – We are going on a trip!

But wait! Does this we include the person you’re talking to? Or are you talking about a different we? 🤯

Japanese actually has a workaround for this ambiguity. If you want to make sure the listener feels included, you can just use 皆 (mina) or みんな (minna) instead.

💬 Minna de ryokō ni iku yo! – We’re ALL going on a trip! (Yes, that means YOU too!)

This small tweak can save you from awkward moments, like your friend thinking, Oh… I guess I wasn’t invited… 😢

4. The “We” in Groups – 我々 (Wareware)

Ever wanted to sound super formal? Or maybe even like a wise old professor in a documentary? Then you’ll love 我々 (wareware).

This word is strictly formal and often used in speeches, official settings, or business language. It gives off a We, the people… or We, the company… kind of vibe.

🧐 Wareware wa sekai heiwa no tame ni hataraku! – We work for world peace! (Sounds like something from a UN summit, right?)

Use this one with caution—unless you’re a CEO or an anime villain, you probably won’t need it too often.

5. Do You Even Need “We”?

If there’s one golden rule of speaking Japanese, it’s this: less is more when it comes to pronouns.

Since Japanese is a highly context-based language, sentences often imply who’s being talked about instead of outright saying it. So, in many cases, you can just skip saying we entirely and still be perfectly understood.

Example:

English: We’re going to eat sushi tonight.
Japanese: 今夜、寿司を食べるよ。 (Kon’ya, sushi o taberu yo.) – No we, but everyone gets the idea!

So, before you panic about which version of we to use, ask yourself: Do I even need to say it?

So…

Japanese loves to keep things subtle, and the word we is no exception. Whether you go with watashitachi, bokutachi, oretachi, wareware, or just drop it altogether, the key is understanding the nuances and reading the room.

Next time you’re talking to a Japanese friend, try noticing how often they don’t say we and see if you can do the same!

And hey, if you’re still confused, don’t worry—learning a language is a journey, not a race. Keep practicing, keep listening, and soon enough, you’ll be using we like a native!

👉 Curious about more Japanese quirks? Stick around for more language breakdowns! Or better yet—go practice with a friend and test out which we feels right in different situations!