私の彼氏になってくれますか
watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka
The English phrase "will you be my boyfriend" is translated into Japanese as 私の彼氏になってくれますか (watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka).
This phrase is a direct question used to ask someone to enter into a romantic relationship as a boyfriend.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "will you become my boyfriend (for my benefit)?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 私の彼氏になってくれますか is grammatically correct, but the more common and natural way to propose a relationship in Japan is 付き合ってください. For a formal approach, you can use 彼氏になっていただけませんか, which translates to "Would you be my boyfriend?" For an informal approach, you can use 付き合ってくれる？, meaning "Will you go out with me?"
How do you pronounce it?
watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka
When do people say it?
The act of asking someone to be your boyfriend is known as 告白 (confession) in Japanese culture.
Did you know?
- The word 彼氏 (kareshi) for 'boyfriend' is a shortened version of 彼 (kare), meaning 'he', and 氏 (shi), a formal suffix often used for people in professional or academic contexts.
- Unlike in many English-speaking cultures, a relationship in Japan often does not 'officially' begin until one person uses a phrase like 付き合ってください and the other explicitly agrees.
- In Japanese culture, a 告白 (confession) is frequently performed in a specific location, such as under a cherry blossom tree or at a shrine, to add weight to the request.
Examples in context
- 私の彼氏になってくれますか？Watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka?Will you be my boyfriend?
- 勇気を出して、私の彼氏になってくれますか。Yuuki o dashite, watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka.I'm gathering my courage to ask, will you be my boyfriend?
Example conversation
Misaki asks Kenta to be her boyfriend in a park.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、私の彼氏になってくれますか。Kenta-kun, watashi no kareshi ni natte kuremasu ka.Kenta, will you be my boyfriend?
- 健太 Kentaもちろん！喜んでなるよ。Mochiron! Yorokonde naru yo.Of course! I'd love to.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？嬉しい！Honto? Ureshii!Really? I'm so happy!
- 健太 Kenta僕も嬉しいよ、美咲。Boku mo ureshii yo, Misaki.I'm happy too, Misaki.
