Men and women by setting
Core words, Stage 3chunk 22 of 76People
Words for men and women in formal, group and rough talk.
Mix-ups dansei is formal and ossan is rude; joshi and danshi are casual group words.
dansei
man; male
The neutral, polite word used on forms, in shops and on the news; in chat people say otoko no hito.
Pairs with josei (woman).
dansei no hou ga ooi ne.
There are more men, huh.
男性の方が多いね。
dansei no hou ga ooi desu ne.
There are more men, aren't there?
男性の方が多いですね。
Written 男性 · だんせいRank #1122 in 3,030 TV dramas
joshi
girls; women
Used casually for women of any age, and in school and sports for the girls' side.
Pairs with danshi. joshikai = a girls' night out.
kyou wa joshi dake de nomu n da.
Tonight it's just us girls drinking.
今日は女子だけで飲むんだ。
kyou wa joshi dake de nomimasu.
Tonight it's just the women drinking.
今日は女子だけで飲みます。
Written 女子 · じょしRank #1547 in 3,030 TV dramas
danshi
boys; guys
Used casually for males of any age, and in school and sports for the boys' side.
Pairs with joshi.
danshi tte, honto kodomo da yo ne.
Guys are such kids, right?
男子って、ほんと子供だよね。
danshi tte hontou ni kodomo desu yo ne.
Guys really are like kids, aren't they?
男子って本当に子供ですよね。
Written 男子 · だんしRank #2770 in 3,030 TV dramas
ossan
middle-aged guy; old man
Casual and a bit rude; men also use it about themselves as a joke.
The politer word is ojisan; for women, obasan.
mou ossan da kara, tetsuya muri.
I'm an old man now, I can't pull all-nighters.
もうおっさんだから、徹夜無理。
Written おっさんRank #2844 in 3,030 TV dramas