What does it mean word for word?
The sentence is composed of the following parts: boku is a first-person pronoun used primarily by males to mean "I (masculine)". desu is the copula verb indicating the state of being.
Which one should you use?
While watashi is a neutral pronoun that can be used by both males and females, using boku instead makes the sentence sound more characteristic of a young boy or a casual male speaker. For a much more blunt and highly informal version, one might use the pronoun ore and the less formal copula da, as in 俺は男の子だ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using ore instead of boku expresses a more assertive or masculine tone and replacing desu with the less formal da makes the statement much more casual.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word desu functions as the copula to end the sentence politely, indicating the state of being (is/am/are).
How do you pronounce it?
boku wa otokonoko desu
Did you know?
- In natural conversation, Japanese speakers often omit the pronoun entirely if the context is clear, meaning a boy might simply say 男の子です to mean 'I am a boy'.
- In modern internet slang, otokonoko has shifted meaning to specifically describe boys who cross-dress or have a very feminine appearance.
- The word otoko is part of the term otoko-gi, which describes a traditional Japanese code of masculine chivalry and honor.
Examples in context
- 僕は男の子です。Boku wa otokonoko desu.I am a boy.
Example conversation
Two children are introducing themselves to each other.
- 陽葵 Himariあなたは女の子ですか？Anata wa onna no ko desu ka?Are you a girl?
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、僕は男の子です。Iie, boku wa otoko no ko desu.No, I am a boy.
- 陽葵 Himariそうなんだ！私は陽葵です。So nan da! Watashi wa Himari desu.I see! I am Himari.
- 健太 Kenta僕は健太です。よろしくね。Boku wa Kenta desu. Yoroshiku ne.I am Kenta. Nice to meet you.
