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:

私たちは新しいアイデアを受け入れる準備ができています。

Watashitachi wa atarashii aidea o ukeire suru junbi ga dekite imasu

We are ready to accept new ideas.

We are ready to accept new ideas.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• アイデア - noun "idea"
• を - direct object particle
• 受け入れる - verb "to accept, to receive"
• 準備 - noun "preparation, readiness"
• が - subject particle
• できています - verb "to be ready, to be prepared" conjugated in the present progressive

私たちは彼らと比べても同じくらい優れていると思います。

Watashitachi wa karera to kurabete mo onaji kurai sugurete iru to omoimasu

I think we are as good as they are.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 彼らと - with them
• 比べても - even comparing
• 同じくらい - same level
• 優れている - be excellent
• と思います - I think

私の家の近くには美しい公園があります。

Watashi no ie no chikaku ni wa utsukushii en ga arimasu

There is a beautiful park near my house.

There is a beautiful park near my house.

• 私の家の近くには - "Near my house"
• 美しい - "bonito"
• 公園があります - "There is a park"

私の部門は新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。

Watashi no bumon wa atarashii purojekuto ni torikunde imasu

My department is working on a new project.

• 私の部門 - "Watashi no bumon" means "my department" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 新しい - "atarashii" means "new" in Japanese.
• プロジェクト - "purojekuto" is a word in Japanese that means "project".
• に - "ni" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of an action.
• 取り組んでいます - "torikundeimasu" is a verbal form in Japanese that means "we are working hard."

稀にしか会えない友達がいます。

Mare ni shika aenai tomodachi ga imasu

I have a friend I only see rarely.

I have a friend who can only find me rarely.

• 稀に (mareni) - rarely
• しか (shika) - Only
• 会えない (aenai) - Can't find, can't find
• 友達 (tomodachi) - friends)
• が (ga) - subject particle
• います (imasu) - exist, be present

穏やかな気持ちで過ごしたい。

Odayaka na kimochi de sugoshitai

I want to spend my time with a quiet feeling.

I want to spend a calm feeling.

• 穏やかな (Odayakana) - Calm, peaceful
• 気持ち (Kimochi) - Feeling, Emotion
• で (De) - particle that indicates means, form or reason
• 過ごしたい (Sugoshitai) - wanting to pass the time, wanting to live

空間を大切にしましょう。

Kukan wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value the space.

• 空間 (kuukan) - space
• を (wo) - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the manner in which something is done
• しましょう (shimashou) - polite form of the verb "to do"

紅葉が美しい季節です。

Kouyou ga utsukushii kisetsu desu

It's a beautiful season with the red leaves.

It's the season when autumn leaves are beautiful.

• 紅葉 - red leaves
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 季節 - Season
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

純情な恋愛は美しいものです。

Junjou na ren'ai wa utsukushii mono desu

Pure romance is beautiful.

• 純情 (junjou) - innocence, purity
• な (na) - Grammar particle indicating adjective
• 恋愛 (renai) - love, romance
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• もの (mono) - thing, object
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

細やかな気持ちでお返事いたします。

Hosoyaka na kimochi de ohenji itashimasu

I will answer with a detailed feeling.

• 細やかな - delicate, meticulous
• 気持ち - Feeling, Emotion
• で - particle that indicates means, manner
• お返事 - Reply
• いたします - courtesy expression indicating that the speaker will do something