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:

保温は冬にとても重要です。

Hoon wa fuyu ni totemo juuyou desu

Temperature maintenance is very important in winter.

Heat retention is very important in winter.

• 保温 - word meaning "thermal insulation"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 冬 - word meaning "winter"
• に - particle indicating the time at which something occurs
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 重要 - word meaning "important"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

修行は人生を豊かにする。

Shugyou wa jinsei wo yutaka ni suru

Ascetic practice enriches life.

Training enriches life.

• 修行 - practice, training, discipline
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人生 - human life
• を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 豊か - rich, abundant, prosperous
• に - grammatical particle that indicates transformation or change of state
• する - do, carry out, practice

九日は私の誕生日です。

Kokonoka wa watashi no tanjoubi desu

The 9th is my birthday.

9th is my birthday.

• 九日 - day nine
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 誕生日 - birthday
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

主任は部署のリーダーです。

Shunin wa busho no ridaa desu

The boss is the leader of the department.

The boss is the leader of the department.

• 主任 (Shunin) - means "chief" or "supervisor" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 部署 (Busho) - means "department" or "sector" in Japanese.
• の (no) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• リーダー (Riidaa) - word in English that means "leader".
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence or identity of something.

上昇気流が強くなっています。

Joushou kiryuu ga tsuyoku natte imasu

The updrafts are getting stronger.

Updraft is getting stronger.

• 上昇気流 (joushou kiryuu) - upward current
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 強く (tsuyoku) - tightly
• なっています (natteimasu) - is becoming

この書類の記述は正確ですか？

Kono shorui no kijutsu wa seikaku desu ka?

Is this document accurate?

Is this document accurate?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 書類 - noun meaning "document" or "paperwork"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 記述 - noun meaning "description" or "report"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 正確 - adjective meaning "precise" or "exact"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この建物は私たちの目印です。

Kono tatemono wa watashitachi no mejirushi desu

This building is our reference point.

This building is our landmark.

• この - this
• 建物 - building
• は - is
• 私たちの - our
• 目印 - reference point
• です - is

この指輪は私の愛の証です。

Kono yubiwa wa watashi no ai no akashi desu

This ring is proof of my love.

This ring is proof of my love.

• この - this
• 指輪 - ring
• は - is
• 私の - my
• 愛 - love
• の - of
• 証 - test
• です - is (formal)

この建物は修繕が必要です。

Kono tatemono wa shūzen ga hitsuyō desu

This building needs repairs.

This building requires repair.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• は - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this building"
• 修繕 - noun meaning "repair" or "maintenance"
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "repair" or "maintenance"
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing oneself in Japanese

この建物の水準は非常に高いです。

Kono tatemono no suijun wa hijō ni takai desu

The level of this building is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 水準 - noun meaning "level" or "standard"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb ser/ estar in the present tense, indicating affirmation or politeness