わたしは おーすとらりあじんです
Watashi wa Ōsutorariajin desupolite, everyday
In hiragana, "I am Australian" is わたしは おーすとらりあじんです (Watashi wa Ōsutorariajin desu) (watashi wa Ōsutorariajin desu). Japanese speakers also shorten it to おーすとらりあじんです (Ōsutorariajin desu). It is also called ぼくは おーすとらりあじんです (Boku wa Ōsutorariajin desu).
Meaning: a statement of nationality (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| わたしは おーすとらりあじんです | Watashi wa Ōsutorariajin desu | polite, everyday |
| ぼくは おーすとらりあじんです | Boku wa Ōsutorariajin desu | polite, male speaker |
| おーすとらりあじんです | Ōsutorariajin desu | polite, short |
What does it mean word for word?
おーすとらりあ (Ōsutoraria) is "Australia", じん (jin) means a person from that country and です (desu) is the polite "am".
How do you pronounce it?
Say おーすとらりあ with a long first vowel: "oh-su-to-ra-ri-a".
When do people say it?
Country names like Australia are normally written in katakana as オーストラリア. The hiragana spelling is used here so you can read it as a learner, and the ー mark stretches the vowel.
Did you know?
- The じん (jin) ending also works for other countries, for example かんこくじん (kankokujin) for a person from South Korea.
Examples in context
- おーすとらりあから きました。Ōsutoraria kara kimashita.I came from Australia.
- ぼくは おーすとらりあじんで、せんせいです。Boku wa Ōsutorariajin de, sensei desu.I am Australian and a teacher.
Example conversation
Emma introduces herself to her new host mother Mrs. Tanaka in Sendai.
- Mrs. Tanakaようこそ。おなまえは？Yōkoso. Onamae wa?Welcome. What is your name?
- Emmaエマです。わたしは おーすとらりあじんです。Emma desu. Watashi wa Ōsutorariajin desu.I am Emma. I am Australian.
- Mrs. Tanakaそう。よろしくね。Sō. Yoroshiku ne.I see. Nice to meet you.
