What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私の彼氏になってくれますか literally translates to "will you become my boyfriend for me?"
Which one should you use?
While 私の彼氏になってくれますか is grammatically correct, the more common and natural way to ask someone to start a relationship is 付き合ってください. Other variations include the informal 付き合ってもらえる？ and the more tentative 付き合ってくれる？ or 付き合ってくれない?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal situations, you can use お付き合いしていただけませんか？, お付き合いいただけないでしょうか？ or お付き合いを申し込んでもよろしいでしょうか？ For informal situations, you can use 付き合ってくれる？, 付き合ってくれない? or 付き合ってもらえる?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai Dialect, you may hear the phrase 付き合ってくれへん？ to mean "Will you go out with me?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb naru (to become) in its te-form natte to connect to the auxiliary verb kureru (to do something for someone), creating the expression 彼氏になって (become a boyfriend).
How do you pronounce it?
watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka
Did you know?
- In Japan, a relationship is often not considered official until a formal 'confession' called kokuhaku happens. Simply spending time together or acting like a couple is usually not enough to be called 彼氏 (boyfriend) or 彼女 (girlfriend).
- The word for 'boyfriend', 彼氏 (kareshi), is actually a contraction of the word 彼 (kare), meaning 'he', and the suffix 氏 (shi), a formal honorific. It is a unique linguistic way to turn a third-person pronoun into a romantic noun.
- While 付き合う (tsukiau) is used to start a relationship, the word 付き合い (tsukiai) can also refer to the obligatory social networking and drinking culture common in Japanese corporate life.
Examples in context
- 私の彼氏になってくれますか？Watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka?Can you be my boyfriend?
Example conversation
Misaki confesses her feelings to Kenta at a quiet park.
- 美咲 Misakiあの、私の彼氏になってくれますか？Ano, watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka?Um, can you be my boyfriend?
- 健太 Kentaえっ、もちろん！喜んで。E, mochiron! Yorokonde.Eh, of course! I'd love to.
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですか？すごく嬉しいです。Hontou desu ka? Sugoku ureshii desu.Really? I'm so happy.
- 健太 Kentaこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.The pleasure is mine, I look forward to it.
