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:

私たちは困難に対して強く立ち向かわなければなりません。

Watashitachi wa konnan ni taisuru tsuyoku tachimukawanakereba narimasen

We must strongly face the difficulties.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 困難に - "Difficulty" in Japanese, followed by the particle "ni" which indicates the relationship with the previous word.
• 対して - "In relation to" in Japanese
• 強く - "Strongly" in Japanese, an adverb that modifies the following verb.
• 立ち向かわなければなりません - "We need to face" in Japanese, verb in the negative conditional form indicating an obligation.

私たちは新しいルールを設ける必要があります。

Watashitachi wa atarashii rūru o moukeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to establish new rules.

We need to provide new rules.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 新しい - "New" in Japanese
• ルール - "Regra" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 設ける - "Estabelecer" in Japanese
• 必要があります - "It is necessary" in Japanese

私たちは長い列を連ねて待っていました。

Watashitachi wa nagai retsu o tsunagete matte imashita

We were waiting in a long line.

We were waiting for a long queue.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 長い列 - "A long line" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 連ねて - "In line" in Japanese
• 待っていました - "We were waiting" in Japanese.

私たちは良好な関係を築くことができました。

Watashitachi wa ryoukou na kankei wo kizuku koto ga dekimashita

We managed to build a good relationship.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 良好な - "Good" or "positive" in Japanese
• 関係を - "Relationship" in Japanese.
• 築くことが - "Construir" in Japanese is "建設する" (けんせつする).
• できました - 「可能でした」 ou 「実施されました」

私たちは自然を養うことが大切だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa shizen o yashinau koto ga taisetsu da to shinjite imasu

We believe that it is important to cultivate nature.

We believe that it is important to develop nature.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 自然を - "Nature" in Japanese, direct object of the sentence.
• 養う - "Cultivar" or "nurture" in Japanese, a verb that indicates the action to be taken.
• ことが - Japanese particle that indicates that "cultivating nature" is the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - "Important" or "valuable" in Japanese, an adjective that qualifies the action of cultivating nature.
• と - Japanese particle that indicates that the sentence continues
• 信じています - "Acreditamos" in Japanese, a verb that indicates the belief or opinion of the speakers.

私たちはとても親しい友達です。

Watashitachi wa totemo shitashii tomodachi desu

We are very close friends.

We are very close friends.

• 私たちは - We
• とても - Very
• 親しい - Next, close
• 友達 - friends
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

私たちはいつもあなたを応援しています。

Watashitachi wa itsumo anata o ōen shiteimasu

We always support you.

We always support you.

• 私たちは - We
• いつも - Always
• あなたを - you
• 応援しています - We are cheering for you.

私たちは家族を守るために全力を尽くします。

Watashitachi wa kazoku o mamoru tame ni zenryoku o tsukushimasu

We will do our best to protect the family.

• 私たちは - "We"
• 家族を - "Family"
• 守るために - "To protect"
• 全力を尽くします - "We'll do our best"

私たちは力を合わせてこのプロジェクトを完成させます。

Watashitachi wa chikara o awasete kono purojekuto o kansei sasemasu

Let's join our forces to complete this project.

We will work together to complete this project.

• 私たちは - "We"
• 力を合わせて - "Joining forces"
• この - "This"
• プロジェクトを - "Project"
• 完成させます - "We will complete"

私たちは常に新しい挑戦に挑むことが大切です。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni atarashii chōsen ni idomu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to always face new challenges.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 新しい - New
• 挑戦 - challenges
• に - For
• 挑む - face
• こと - things
• が - are
• 大切 - Importantes
• です - are