Why Ayu using "boku" ?

[mellody]

I'm learning Japanese a little, and then come to a conclusion...

Why Ayu using words "boku" instead of "watashi" or "atashi" in some songs?

From what i learned, "boku" were used if the subject is male,
But Ayu isn't male!!

How do you think?

[Aga-chan]

ayu said that using "boku" seems like another person. Another reason would be that it's from a man's view, which I think applys to "Free & Easy". The melody is also an aspect, because "boku" and "kimi" are shorter.

By the way, some girls do use "boku" or even the rougher "ore". Whatever you read about male and female language, better don't take it as a fact that is like that and only like that. Just like some girls use "boku", some boys use "ne" quite often or even use "wa" (meaning the sentence ending particle, not the topic marker).

[waterballoon]

Yeah, she has mentioned that boku is easier to rhyme... but it doesn't matter... Ayu has that ATTITUDE that makes 'boku' look appropriate for her!

[yagovg]

Utada is a girl, ans she sings "Boku wa kuma" lol

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

^utada?? a girl?!?!!?!

woow thats a discovery LOL

[mimi.chan]

I was wondering that a long time ago.... since I haven't lived in japan I don't really know how it works, though I'm japanese... XD
but I believe "boku" and "watashi" can be used both female and male....
in my point of view i think when you are talking it refers to "watashi" to girls and "boku" to male...
but when you are singing I think "watashi" is a formal way and "boku" informal...? I'm not sure.... but that's just what I believe b/c I hear male singers singing "watashi"

[emi♡]

Because a lot of artists like Ayu and Hikki think it's ridiculous to have gender specific words like boku and watashi.

Usually, I think boku fits in better with the number of syllables in a line and flows a little bit better in certain situations.

I really think they choose between them to see which one would fit better lol

[Calico]

Watashi and boku can be used by men and women...in fact watashi is considered more formal and boku is more informal. Some women (even me =P) use "ore" as well, and if anything that's considered more male.

Plus like someone else said, boku is only two syllables as opposed to three in watashi. From a songwriter's perspective, every syllable counts.

[maikaru]

She said simply before in an interview, she uses Boku because it's shorter.. she said she wasnt gonna make a statement..
But it's cool

[visionfactory]

Is it the same case of atashi? Can both males and females use atashi?

[Calico]

Atashi is seen as more feminine, usually. It's also and informal, slangish version of "watashi". You don't see it much in written form but it's used a lot in conversation.

[zyoeru]

Boku IS generally used by men, but women use it too. In my opinion it's rather more poetic than watashi. It makes the speaker (Ayumi) seem more humble.

But I think it could be something to do with syllables, but then again I always find it perfectly fine for women to use boku, it's just personal preference, but she also sings watashi and atashi.

[Aga-chan]

Originally Posted by Calico

Atashi is seen as more feminine, usually.

And therefore it's hardly used by men. Homosexual men seem to use it, though. Probably to emphasize their femininity.

[PinkShinigami]

I think it's only because of the rythm. Like in the chorus of decision, where she's singing "Sou boku wa yuku...", it would sound funny if she sang "Sou watashi wa yuku...".

The same when singing bokutachi in the last chorus of rainy day and talkin' 2 myself, it would sound funny with watashitachi, right?

She simply use what's best in the music. In some songs, she use both watashi (or atashi) and boku, anata and kimi.

[C+R+E+AYUMI]

Originally Posted by SURREAL__RAINBOW

^utada?? a girl?!?!!?!

woow thats a discovery LOL

Veeeery funny LOL

[mellody]

Thanks for explanation~
It's clear now...

[*Petit*]

Originally Posted by emiko

Because a lot of artists like Ayu and Hikki think it's ridiculous to have gender specific words like boku and watashi.

Usually, I think boku fits in better with the number of syllables in a line and flows a little bit better in certain situations.

I really think they choose between them to see which one would fit better lol

THey are not gendr specific, but they are hierarchy/honorary specific. As females' are/were (I would hope) considered lesser than male they would by habit use more formal words to address themselves to honor the receiver of the parole. As mentioned above, even females may use ore depnding on the contxt.

[Aga-chan]

^I would say they're both. Meaning and connotation of words can change over time. Like "kisama" (you) was a very formal address back in the day, but nowadays it's considered rude.

[Zeke.]

It's really odd but I was just thinking this same question yesterday and was thinking of posting it. Ha ha. I remember there was discussion on this once before.

[Coelacanth]

Out of curiosity one time I asked my sensei why some females used 'boku' and I swear she looked at me like I had two heads, then I think she made some reference to juvenile delinquency.