What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down as follows: これ (kore) refers specifically to an object close to the speaker. の (no) is a possessive particle that connects watashi (I/me) and pen to indicate possession, functioning similarly to the English "'s".
Which one should you use?
While kore means "this" (referring to an object close to the speaker), you can change the subject to sore to mean "that," which refers to an object closer to the listener.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form これは私のペンです is formal. For a more casual and typically masculine tone, you can replace watashi with boku to say これは僕のペンです. In casual speech, adding the sentence-ending particle yo to the end of the sentence, such as in これは私のペンよ, can provide a more assertive or feminine tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change this sentence into a negative statement, such as "this is not my pen," you should replace desu with dewa arimasen or ja arimasen.
How do you pronounce it?
kore wa watashi no pen desu
Did you know?
- The word pen is a loanword from English, known as a 'gairaigo', and is written in the katakana script rather than the standard hiragana used for Japanese words.
- Using the pronoun ore instead of watashi to say 'my' does not just change the formality, it projects a sense of toughness or dominance.
- In natural Japanese conversation, the word watashi is often dropped entirely if it is obvious who is speaking, making the sentence simply kore wa pen desu.
Examples in context
- これは私のペンです。Kore wa watashi no pen desu.This is my pen.
Example conversation
Yui finds a pen on the desk and asks Hiroto if it belongs to him.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さん、これは誰のペンですか。Hiroto-san, kore wa dare no pen desu ka.Hiroto, whose pen is this?
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、それは私のペンです。A, sore wa watashi no pen desu.Oh, that is my pen.
- 結衣 Yui本当ですか。これは私のペンではありませんね。Hontou desu ka. Kore wa watashi no pen de wa arimasen ne.Really? This isn't my pen, then.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。これは私のペンです。Arigatou gozaimasu. Kore wa watashi no pen desu.Thank you. This is my pen.
