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
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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
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."
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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:
Watashitachi wa issho ni ayumi o susumete ikimashou
Let's go on together.
- 私たち - 私たち
- 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
- 歩み - "step" or "path" in Japanese
- を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
- 進めて - "to advance" in Japanese (continuous form)
- いきましょう - "let's go" in Japanese (polite form)
Watashitachi no bijinesu wa kōchō desu
Our business is doing well.
Our business is performing well.
- 私たちの - possessive pronoun "our"
- ビジネス - noun "business"
- は - Topic particle
- 好調 - adjective "prosperous, well-off"
- です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form
Watashitachi no ie wa kōen ni menshite imasu
Our house faces the park.
Our house faces the park.
- 私たちの - 私たち
- 家 - "house" in Japanese
- は - Japanese topic particle
- 公園 - "parque" in Japanese
- に - Location particle in Japanese
- 面しています - "facing" in Japanese
Watashitachi no jūkyo wa atarashii desu
Our residence is new.
- 私たちの - 「私たち」
- 住居 - "Residence" in Japanese
- は - Japanese topic particle
- 新しい - "New" in Japanese
- です - polite way of "being" in Japanese
Watashitachi wa nakayoshi desu
We are close friends.
We are good friends.
- 私たち - means "we" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "we".
- 仲良し - means "friends" in Japanese, but with a closer, more intimate connotation.
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that "we" are "friends".
Watashitachi wa issho ni subarashii jikan o sugoshimashita
We had a wonderful time together.
We had a wonderful time together.
- 私たちは - 「私たち」
- 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
- 素晴らしい - "Maravilhoso" em japonês
- 時間を - "Tempo" em japonês
- 過ごしました - "Passamos" in Japanese is "私たちは通りました" (Watashitachi wa toorimashita).
Watashitachi wa anata no kitai ni kotaeru tame ni saizen o tsukushimasu
We will do our best to meet your expectations.
We will do our best to meet your expectations.
- 私たちは - 「私たち」
- あなたの - "Your" in Japanese
- 期待 - "Expectation" in Japanese
- に - Japanese particle indicating the target of an action
- 応える - "Answering in Japanese
- ために - "To" or "in order to" in Japanese
- 最善 - "Best" or "great" in Japanese
- を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of an action
- 尽くします - "Do your utmost" or "do everything possible" in Japanese
Watashitachi no iken wa gōchi shite imasu
Our opinions correspond.
- 私たちの意見 (watashitachi no iken) - Our opinion
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 合致しています (gōchishiteimasu) - It's in agreement
Watashitachi no kaisha wa tousan shimashita
Our company went bankrupt.
Our company went bankrupt.
- 私たちの会社 (watashitachi no kaisha) - our company
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 倒産しました (tousan shimashita) - failed, went bankrupt
Watashitachi wa niwa ni ana o horimashita
We dug a hole in the garden.
- 私たちは - 「私たち」
- 庭 - "Jardim" in Japanese
- に - Location particle in Japanese
- 穴 - "Buraco" in Japanese
- を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
- 掘りました - "Digging" in Japanese
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