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using あなた in conversations hello, all this time i use あなた in conversations exactly just how i use "you" in english and i thought it will always be polite, but i've just read in Tae Kim's guide (in grammar guide - essential grammar - addressing people) that using あなた can also be rude, and i actually don't have to use anything at all unless there's no way to address that person. i think using 君 is kind of being too friendly. so i use あなた with every italki users in my messages, now i'm afraid that i may had been rude in some messages! >_< so the question is: is this true? how rude can it be? i'm a girl, any other tips in addressing people? thank you! ^_^

Answers · 7

2
if your Japanese is at elementary level, it doesn't sound as rude, you don't to need to worry that much. I happend to find a site about 'you' and 'anata' in English, that has many tips on addressing 'you'. http://nihonshock.com/2012/07/saying-you-in-japanese/ hope it helps.
1
Yes, it's true. You can use あなたonly for people of equal or less than you so I can not suggest that you use in conversation. I answered here. http://www.italki.com/answers/question/172043.htm#.USEdqKX57XY And, plus,(because I forgot to write there) if this person has a title or an official position, you have to use it instead of "さん". ex."surname+先生""surneme+教授""surname+社長"etc.
0
best polite way is using persons name first or last with sufix san and you may just ask お名前は何ですか? to find it out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_pronouns

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