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

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."

Example Sentences - (し) shi

See below some example sentences:

霞む空が美しいです。

Kasumu sora ga utsukushii desu

The cloudy sky is beautiful.

The cloudy sky is beautiful.

• 霞む - hazy, blurry
• 空 - sky
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - pretty, beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

面接に合格したいです。

Mensetsu ni goukaku shitai desu

I want to pass the interview.

I want to pass the interview.

• 面接 (mensetsu) - interview
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or the location of an action
• 合格 (goukaku) - approval
• したい (shitai) - to want to do
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

面会を希望します。

Menkai wo kibou shimasu

I would like a personal meeting.

I would like to know.

• 面会 (menkai) - means "personal encounter" or "face-to-face meeting".
• を (wo) - Object particle in Japanese.
• 希望 (kibou) - means "hope" or "desire".
• します (shimasu) - a polite way of saying "do" in Japanese.

韓国は半島の南部に位置しています。

Kankoku wa hantō no nanbu ni ichi shite imasu

South Korea is located in the southern part of the Peninsula.

• 韓国 - It corresponds to the name of the country, written in Japanese (Kanji).
• は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 半島 - It means "peninsula", also written in Kanji.
• の - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or a relationship between two things.
• 南部 - It means "southern part", also written in Kanji.
• に - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the location of something.
• 位置しています - Verb meaning "to be located", conjugated in the present tense and written in hiragana.

音色が美しい曲を聴くのが好きです。

Onsoku ga utsukushii kyoku wo kiku no ga suki desu

I like listening to music with beautiful tones.

• 音色 - som/timbre
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 曲 - music
• を - direct object particle
• 聴く - to hear
• の - nominal particle
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

類似した商品がたくさんあります。

Ruiji shita shouhin ga takusan arimasu

There are many similar products.

• 類似した - similar
• 商品 - product
• が - subject particle
• たくさん - many
• あります - there are

食卓には美味しい料理がたくさん並んでいる。

Shokutaku ni wa oishii ryouri ga takusan narande iru

On the dining table there are many delicious dishes.

There are many delicious dishes on the table.

• 食卓 - dining table
• に - particle that indicates the location of the verb
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美味しい - delicious
• 料理 - dish, food
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• 並んでいる - they are lined up, they are arranged in a row

騒々しい場所は嫌いです。

Souzoushii basho wa kirai desu

I don't like noisy places.

I hate noisy places.

• 騒々しい - noisy
• 場所 - place
• は - Topic particle
• 嫌い - hate, dislike
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

騒がしい場所は好きじゃない。

Sawagashii basho wa suki janai

I don't like noisy places.

• 騒がしい - noisy
• 場所 - place
• は - Topic particle
• 好き - like
• じゃない - informal denial

高価な商品を買うのは難しいです。

Takaka na shouhin wo kau no wa muzukashii desu

It is difficult to buy expensive products.

• 高価な - adjective meaning "expensive"
• 商品 - noun meaning "product"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 買う - verb meaning "to buy"
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - adjective meaning "difficult"
• です - linking verb indicating the polite and formal form of speech