The Japanese language has many words that represent ‘I.’ 私(わたくし) is the most common word for I, but わたくし is very formal and わたし is more popular. Boys and adult men often call themselves 僕(ぼく) or 俺(おれ). These words are commonly used in every district in Japan.
However, there’re a lot of dialects 方言(ほうげん) for ‘I’ in the Eastern 東部(とうぶ), Western 西部(せいぶ), Kyusyu 九州(きゅうしゅう), and Ryukyu (Okinawa) 琉球(りゅうきゅう) dialects.
The Eastern Dialect 東部(とうぶ)方言(ほうげん)(in Hokkaido 北海道, Tohoku 東北, Kanto 関東, and Tokai 東海Districts) includes: おら、おいら、あたし、わし、わっち、わ（Aomori 青森(あおもり)）、わだす（Fukushima 福島(ふくしま)）, etc.
The Western Dialect 西部(せいぶ)方言(ほうげん)(in Hokuriku 北陸(ほくりく), Kinki 近畿(きんき), Chugoku 中国(ちゅうごく), and Shikoku 四国(しこく) Districts) has: わい、うち、わて、わし, etc.
The Kyusyu Dialect 九州(きゅうしゅう)方言(ほうげん) has おい、あたい, etc. And わい means YOU.
The Ryukyu Dialect 琉球(りゅうきゅう)方言(ほうげん) (in Okinawa 沖縄(おきなわ)) has わん、わみ, etc.
The usage of each word depends on your sex, age, or position. It’s also important in what occasion you use it: in your office, house, school, etc. We need to be careful when we use.
Boku
僕(ぼく)
This is used by men or boys who call themselves. You should not use it when you speak to your elders nor to persons who are in higher ranks.
Ore
俺(おれ)
This is also used by men or boys who call themselves. This word is so informal くだけた and rude 乱暴(らんぼう)な that, again, you should not use it when you speak to your elders nor to persons who are in higher ranks. It is said thatiIt had been used by women until the Meiji Period 明治(めいじ)時代(じだい) (1868-1912).
Oira
おいら
This word is derived from 俺ら(おれら). It is usually used by boys but had not been used by ones from well-bred families.
Atashi
あたし
This word is derived from わたし. The sound of わ was weakened and changed to あ. It’s mainly used by young girls. Someone may know a TV animation titled 'あたしンち' (Atashin'chi)―means 'My House.' or 'My Family.'
Atai
あたい
This is not a decent word, used by girls. However, it’s seldom heard recently.
Washi
Washi
わし
This is used by elder men speaking to younger persons and is felt arrogant.
Jibun
自分(じぶん)
自分(じぶん) is also used to express ‘I.’ It’s usually used among soldiers addressing to their senior officers.
Ware
我(われ)
This is to mean ‘I’ in writing. However, the plural form 我我(われわれ) or 我々(われわれ) is used both in writing and in speech.
我(われ) makes several idioms.
● 我(われ)は海(うみ)の子(こ)。(Ware-wa umi-no ko.)
I am a child of the ocean.
This is the title of the traditional song which has been sung by school children since the early 20th century in Japan, which is a maritime nation.
Ware-mo ware-mo-to
我(われ)も我(われ)もと。
This is used as an adverb when all the people want their own priority competitively.
● 我(われ)も我(われ)もと皆(みな)出口(でぐち)へ急(いそ)いだ。 (Ware-mo ware-mo-to mina deguchi-e iso-i-da.)
All people rushed to the exit to get out as soon as possible.
Ware-to-wa nashi-ni
我(われ)とはなしに。
Unconsciously; without being aware.
● 恐らく(おそらく)、我(われ)とはなしに彼女(かのじょ)を怒らせる(おこらせる)ことをしてしまったのだ。 (Osoraku, ware-to-wa nashi-ni kanojo-o okora-se-ru koto-o it-te shimat-ta.)
Perhaps, unconsciously, I've done something to offend her.
Ware-o wasure-ru
我(われ)を忘れ(わすれ)る。
Beside yourself (with something); unable to control yourself because of the strength of emotion you are feeling
● 自分(じぶん)がした事(こと)を彼(かれ)に話した(はなした)時(とき)、彼(かれ)は我(われ)を忘れて(わすれて)激怒(げきど)した。(Jibun-ga shi-ta koto-o kare-ni hanashi-ta toki, kare-wa ware-o wasure-te guekido-shita.)
He was beside himself with rage when I told him what I had done.
● 彼ら(かれら)は我(われ)を忘れて(わすれて)興奮(こうふん)していた。 (Karera-wa ware-o wasure-te koh-hun-shi-te-i-ta.)
They were beside themselves with excitement.
Ware-ni kae-ru
我(われ)に返る(かえる)。
To come to senses.
● 彼女(かのじょ)が出て(でて)いくと言えば(いえば)、彼(かれ)は我(われ)に返る(かえる)だろう。 (Kanojo-ga de-te-i-ku-to ie-ba, kare-wa ware-ni kae-ru daroh.)
If she threatens to leave, it should bring him to his senses.
● 彼(かれ)は有紀(ゆき)が我(われ)に返って(かえって)戻って(もどって)くることを待っ(まっ)た。 (Kare-wa Mari-ga ware-ni kaet-te modot-te kuru koto-o mat-ta.)
He waited for Yuki to come to her senses and return.
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