で生まれました
de umaremashita
In Japanese, "I was born in" is said using で生まれました (de umaremashita).
This phrase is used to state the place or time of one's birth.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form で生まれました is the polite form, making it suitable for most social situations and introductions. For a more casual approach with friends or in casual writing, you can use the plain form で生まれた. If you need to be exceptionally formal, you can use Watakushi wa [Place] de umaremashita, as replacing "watashi" with "watakushi" adds an additional touch of formality.
How does it change in a sentence?
In natural Japanese speech, the subject "I" (watashi wa) is frequently omitted when the context makes it clear that you are talking about yourself.
How do you pronounce it?
de umaremashita
Did you know?
- The word umare is used in the term umare-ochi, which describes someone born into a wealthy or privileged family. It literally suggests someone who 'fell' into a comfortable life from birth.
- In traditional Japanese culture, the date of birth was historically recorded in the lunar calendar. This means older generations may reference a different date for when they were born than what appears on a modern Gregorian calendar.
- When stating where they were born, Japanese speakers may use the term furusato to describe their 'soul hometown'. This is a deeply emotional word that refers to the place of one's birth or early childhood, regardless of where they currently live.
Examples in context
- 韓国で生まれました。I was born in Korea.This sentence is useful for stating your birth country using で生まれました.Tatoeba #12593262 by small_snow, translation #11340605 by ddnktr
- この家で生まれました。I was born in this house.This sentence is useful for stating your birth location using で生まれました.Tatoeba #10656000 by small_snow, translation #9233017 by CK
- 私は横浜で生まれました。I was born in Yokohama.This sentence is useful for stating your birth city using で生まれました.Tatoeba #158221 by bunbuku, translation #256309 by CN
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are chatting about their hometowns.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さんはどこで生まれましたか。Himari-san wa doko de umaremashita ka.Where were you born, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himari私は北海道で生まれました。Watashi wa Hokkaido de umaremashita.I was born in Hokkaido.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなんですね！いいところですね。So nan desu ne! Ii tokoro desu ne.I see! That's a nice place.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。Arigato gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
