僕

• Reading: ぼく
• Romaji: boku
• Kanji breakdown: 僕 (boku/shimobe) — servant, I (humble)
• Pronunciation: /bo.kɯ/

Meaning

I; me. A first-person pronoun used primarily by males in casual to semi-formal settings.

Softer and more modest than 俺 (ore), but less formal than 私 (watashi). Commonly used by boys and men in everyday conversation. Young boys often start using 僕 before switching to 俺 in their teens. Some women in creative or academic fields also use it. Appropriate in most situations except very formal ones.

Examples

1. 僕は日本語を勉強しています。 I'm studying Japanese.
2. 僕の家は駅の近くです。 My house is near the station.
3. それは僕のかばんです。 That's my bag.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, conversation, school

Tone: friendly

Origin & History

The kanji 僕 originally meant 'servant' (from the person radical 亻plus 菐). Over time it became a humble first-person pronoun, retaining a sense of modesty.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: Young to middle-aged

Social background: Universal