How to Say "When I" in Japanese

私が

watashi ga

The phrase "when I" in Japanese is expressed as 私が (watashi ga).

This phrase is used to introduce a clause where the speaker is the subject of the action.

How do you pronounce it?

watashi ga

Historically, the word 私 originally meant 'private' or 'selfish' rather than 'I'. It only became the standard way to refer to oneself later in the development of the language.
While 私 is common, some speakers use うち to refer to themselves, which literally means 'house' or 'inside'. This is especially common in the Kansai region and can sound more communal than the individualistic 私.
In natural conversation, Japanese speakers often omit 私が entirely if it is obvious they are talking about themselves. Using the phrase too often can make a speaker sound unnaturally repetitive or overly assertive to a native listener.

私がこうすると痛い？
Does it hurt when I do this?
This example shows how to use 私が when asking if an action causes pain.
Tatoeba #9065791 by small_snow, translation #9065787 by CK
私がああすると痛い？
Does it hurt when I do that?
This example shows how to use 私が when asking if a different action causes pain.
Tatoeba #9065795 by small_snow, translation #9065785 by Hybrid
私が駅を出た時、男の人を見た。
When I left the train station, I saw a man.
This example shows how to use 私が when describing an action that happened at a specific time.
Tatoeba #4963 by bunbuku, translation #1555 by shortiiboy
8時30分に予約しました。
I made a reservation for 8:30.
映画を見る？いつ？
Want to watch a movie? When?
今日の夜、８時にどう？
How about tonight at 8?
結婚するときはいつがいい？
When is a good time to get married?
74 more sentences on Tatoeba

Ren and Yui are talking about their childhood memories at a cafe.

蓮 Ren

私が子供の時、よくここで遊んだんだ。
watashi ga kodomo no toki, yoku koko de asonda nda.
When I was a child, I often played here.
結衣 Yui

本当？私も子供の時、ここに来たことがあるよ。
hontou? watashi mo kodomo no toki, koko ni kita koto ga aru yo.
Really? I have been here as a child, too.
蓮 Ren

じゃあ、懐かしいね。
jaa, natsukashii ne.
Then, it brings back memories, doesn't it?
結衣 Yui

うん、すごく懐かしい！
un, sugoku natsukashii!
Yes, it's very nostalgic!

Sources

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