Sentence structure question

[kcander902478]

In one of the lessons, I don't remember which but it was said that the subject of the sentence is implied unless otherwise stated. In other words you would not say Anata wa o-genki desu ka you would just say O-genki desu ka?

That being said, I just went over beginner lesson 4 and it said that to say "I am busy," you would say Watashi wa isogashii desu. I am wondering if it would be correct to just say isogashii desu. I am also wondering about this when asking a question. Say I walk into a room and there is only my friend there, Would I simply say "Isogashii desu ka?" or would it be "Anata wa isogashii desu ka?"

[Javizy]

You're right. 'O-genki desu ka?' and 'Isogashii desu ka?' are perfectly fine, and it's very unnatural to include the topic when it is understood. Technically 'watashi wa isogashii desu' is a correct sentence, but without context it's meaningless. Using 'watashi wa' unnecessarily sounds so natural that it's actually part of a common foreigner stereotype. Although politically incorrect, it does hit the spot a lot of the time, but you can avoid becoming part of it simply by remembering not to include the topic where you don't need to. Ganbatte!

[kcander902478]

What about when you introduce your self? Do you still use "watashi wa?"

[taikutsu]

What about when you introduce your self? Do you still use "watashi wa?"

Probably not the answer you're looking for, but it depends. Saying "watashi wa" is a way of differentiating oneself in situations where it would otherwise be unclear, not the exact equivalent of the English "I".

[victimofsleep1386]

What about when you introduce your self? Do you still use "watashi wa?"

No need. I just say NAME desu or NAME to moushimasu (polite form).