私について
watashi ni tsuite
The English phrase "about me" is translated into Japanese as 私について (watashi ni tsuite).
私について is a phrase used to introduce a section of a website or profile that provides personal information about the author.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 私 (watashi) meaning 'I' and について (ni tsuite) meaning 'about' or 'concerning'.
Which one should you use?
While 私について is used for a topic, the alternative 私のこと (watashi no koto) is a very common alternative used when talking about one's personality, feelings or general existence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
私について is a straightforward and polite way to express "About Me". Conversely, 俺のこと is an informal way to express "About Me" using the personal pronoun "俺" (ore).
How do you pronounce it?
watashi ni tsuite
Did you know?
- The phrase について (ni tsuite) is derived from the verb 付く (tsuku), meaning 'to attach'. Literally, talking 'about' someone is like 'attaching' your words to that person.
- If a person refers to themselves in the third person using their own name instead of 私 in an 'About Me' section, it can come across as 'burikko', a term for acting overly cute or childish.
- If a person is writing an 'About Me' section for a very formal academic CV, they might avoid personal pronouns entirely and use their name followed by a title instead.
Examples in context
- これは私についてですか？Is this about me?This is useful for asking if a topic is about the speaker.Tatoeba #4836760 by Ako, translation #2891463 by CK
- 彼らは私について話した。They shared things about me.This shows how others might speak about the speaker.Tatoeba #13810762 by Sh12, translation #13810522 by Aghanim
- 夫は、なぜだか、彼女が私について話すのを厭ふやうに見えました。実際、彼女は、私のことを話し過ぎるのでした。For some reason, her husband seemed to dislike that she spoke of me. In truth, she talked too much about me.This demonstrates a literary context where someone is talking about the speaker.Tatoeba #1244897 by Scott, translation #1245088 by Scott
- こんにちは、私の名前はサラです。アメリカ出身で、日本語が好きです。音楽を聴くことや旅行が趣味です。よろしくお願いします。Hello, my name is Sarah. I'm from the United States, and I like the Japanese language. I enjoy listening to music and traveling. Nice to meet you.
- こんばんは、俺のことはタクミって言うんだ。大阪出身で、野球が好きだよ。よろしくな。Good evening, I'm called Takumi. I'm from Osaka, and I like baseball. Nice to meet ya.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a personal blog on a smartphone.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔、私のブログを見た？Daigō, watashi no burogu o mita?Daigō, did you see my blog?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん。この「私について」のページがいいね。Un. Kono "watashi ni tsuite" no pēji ga ii ne.Yeah. I like this "about me" page.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう！頑張って書いたんだ。Arigatō! Ganbatte kaita nda.Thanks! I worked hard on writing it.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲のことがよくわかるよ。Misaki no koto ga yoku wakaru yo.It really helps me get to know you, Misaki.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
