Translation and Meaning of: し - shi

The Japanese word し (shi) is a short term, but full of nuances and interesting uses in the Japanese language. If you are learning Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding the meaning and context of this word can be very helpful. In this article, we will explore from the basics, like its translation and writing, to deeper aspects, such as its cultural usage and frequency in daily life. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, is a great tool to complement your learning.

In addition to being a grammatical particle and a common suffix, し also appears in expressions and even in Japanese proverbs. Its simplicity hides a wealth of meanings that vary according to the context. Let's unravel all of this clearly and directly, without unnecessary complications.

Meaning and uses of the word し

In its most basic form, し can be translated as "and" or "besides" when used as a particle. It connects sentences or ideas, adding a tone of enumeration or justification. For example, in a sentence like "寒いし、疲れたし、家に帰りたい" (Samui shi, tsukareta shi, ie ni kaeritai), the translation would be "It's cold, I'm tired and I want to go home." Here, し helps to list reasons naturally.

Another common use of し is as a suffix in words like 願いし (negaishi) or 思し (omoishi), although these cases are rarer in modern Japanese. It is worth noting that, unlike other particles, し carries a nuance of emphasis, often indicating that there are more reasons beyond those mentioned. This subtlety may go unnoticed by beginners, but it is essential for a more advanced mastery of the language.

The origin and writing of し

The word し is written in hiragana, one of the Japanese syllabaries, but it also corresponds to the kanji 死, which means "death." However, it is important to highlight that the use of the kanji 死 to represent し is restricted to specific contexts, such as compound words or expressions. Most of the time, especially when functioning as a particle, し appears in hiragana to avoid ambiguities.

Regarding its origin, し comes from Old Japanese and has roots in Classical language. Its evolution has accompanied the grammatical simplification of the language over the centuries. Although it is not one of the oldest particles, its use became established during the Edo period, when the Japanese language underwent various structural changes. Today, it is a common word both in everyday speech and in informal writing.

Curiosities and tips for memorizing し

An interesting fact about し is that, although it seems simple, many Japanese learners take time to realize its function of connecting ideas with emphasis. A helpful tip for memorizing its use is to associate it with situations where you want to list reasons or justify something. For example, when explaining why you didn't leave the house, saying "雨だし、忙しいし" (Ame da shi, isogashii shi) sounds more natural than simply listing the facts without the particle.

Moreover, し often appears in dialogues of animes and dramas, which can aid in learning. Paying attention to how characters use this particle in emotional or explanatory contexts is a practical way to absorb its meaning. Suki Nihongo provides real examples of sentences with し, making it easier to understand its application in daily life.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

四 (shi) - four
詩 (shi) - poetry
志 (shi) - Determination; aspiration
士 (shi) - Samurai; warrior
仕 (shi) - Service; work
死 (shi) - Death
私 (shi) - Private; I (pronoun)
始 (shi) - Start; begin
子 (shi) - Son; child
指 (shi) - Pointing; finger
持 (ji) - Possess; hold
試 (shi) - Test; to experiment
旨 (shi) - Purpose; intention
誌 (shi) - Record; annals
織 (shiki) - Weave; fabric
視 (shi) - Vision; gaze
紫 (shi) - Purple
湿 (shitsu) - damp
摯 (shi) - Sincere feeling; deep
雌 (shi) - Female; woman
詩人 (shijin) - poet
資格 (shikaku) - Qualification; condition
指導 (shidou) - Guidance; leadership

Related words

ブラシ

burashi

brush; brush

ビジネス

bizinesu

business

バッジ

bazi

distinctive

パジャマ

pazyama

Pajamas; pajamas

トランジスター

toranzisuta-

transistor

ティッシュペーパー

thisyupe-pa-

tissue

デコレーション

dekore-syon

decoration

デモンストレーション

demonsutore-syon

demonstration

チェンジ

tyenzi

change

タクシー

takushi-

Taxi

し

Romaji: shi
Kana: し
Type: Letter
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: 10^24 (Kanji is Jis X 0212 Kuten 4906); Settillion (American); Quadrillion (British)

Meaning in English: 10^24 (kanji is JIS X 0212 kuten 4906);septillion (American);quadrillion (British)

Definition: shi [automatic] 1. Appear alone, without worrying about anything else. say. "Please be considerate." 2 Pretending to know. “Even though I'm good at this, I'm not as good as him.” 3 Bring it out. "I complained about the title." 【other】 1 Ask. Visit. "There is nothing you don't understand. I'm thinking of trying..." 2 Ask. Ask questions and ask questions. "This is a subject where you should use your wisdom in the best way possible." 3. Ask the other person by phone or letter. "How are you? Let's meet."

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (し) shi

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (し) shi:

Example Sentences - (し) shi

See below some example sentences:

雫は美しいです。

Shizuku wa utsukushii desu

The drop is beautiful.

The drops are beautiful.

雫 - means "drop" in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
美しい - The adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese is "美しい" (utsukushii).
です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating a formal statement

選手は勝つために練習しなければなりません。

Senshu wa katsu tame ni renshū shinakereba narimasen

Athletes must train to win.

Players must practice to win.

選手 - player/athlete
は - Topic particle
勝つ - win
ために - for
練習 - train/practice
しなければなりません - must/needs to do

郵便局に行って手紙を出しました。

Yuubinkyoku ni itte tegami wo dashimashita

I went to the mail and sent a letter.

I went to the mail and gave a letter.

郵便局 - Post office
に - particle indicating location
行って - Past tense form of the verb "ir"
手紙 - Letter
を - particle that indicates the direct object
出しました - Past tense form of the verb "enviar

配布されたチラシを手に取った。

Haifu sareta chirashi wo te ni totta

I took the distributed leaflet.

配布された - distributed
チラシ - leaflet
を - object particle
手に取った - took his hand

酒場で友達と楽しい時間を過ごしました。

Sakaba de tomodachi to tanoshii jikan wo sugoshimashita

I had fun with my friends at the bar.

酒場 (sakaba) - bar/pub
で (de) - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
友達 (tomodachi) - amigo(s)
と (to) - particle indicating "with"
楽しい (tanoshii) - divertido
時間 (jikan) - tempo/horas
を (wo) - Article indicating the object of the action
過ごしました (sugoshimashita) - spent/had (a good time)

重役は会議に出席している。

Jūyaku wa kaigi ni shusseki shite iru

The executive is present at the meeting.

The executive is attending the meeting.

重役 - means "executive" or "top executive" in Japanese.
は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "重役".
会議 - means "meeting" in Japanese.
に - destination particle in Japanese, indicating that the "meeting" is the destination of the "重役".
出席している - Japanese compound verb, meaning "to be present" or "to participate".

金魚は美しいです。

Kingyo wa utsukushii desu

Goldfish is beautiful.

金魚 - "Kingyo" in Japanese means "goldfish" in English.
は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "goldfish."
美しい - Japanese adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
です - Japanese verb that means "to be" or "to exist" and is used to indicate the polite or formal form.

金融業界は常に変化しています。

Kin'yū gyōkai wa tsuneni henka shite imasu

The financial industry is constantly changing.