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:

私の嗜好は音楽です。

Watashi no shikou wa ongaku desu

My taste is music.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 嗜好 - noun meaning "taste" or "preference"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 音楽 - noun meaning "music"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私の健康は最近不調です。

Watashi no kenkō wa saikin fuchō desu

My health has not been good lately.

My health has been upset recently.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 健康 - noun that means "health"
• は - partoken that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "health"
• 最近 - adverb meaning "recently"
• 不調 - noun meaning "discomfort" or "unease"
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating an affirmation or declaration

私たちは人生を享受するために生まれてきた。

Watashitachi wa jinsei wo kyouju suru tame ni umarete kita

We were born to enjoy life.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 享受する - "enjoy" in Japanese
• ために - "To" in Japanese
• 生まれてきた - "We were born" in Japanese

私の氏名は山田太郎です。

Watashi no shimei wa Yamada Taro desu

My name is Yamada Taro.

My name is Taro Yamada.

• 私の氏名 - "Watashi no shimei" means "my name" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 山田太郎 - "Yamada Taro" is a Japanese personal name.
• です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.

私の時間割は毎週月曜日から金曜日までです。

Watashi no jikanwari wa maishuu getsuyoubi kara kin'youbi made desu

My schedule is Monday through Friday every Monday.

• 私の時間割 - "My schedule" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎週 - "Every week" in Japanese
• 月曜日 - "Monday" in Japanese
• から - "From" in Japanese
• 金曜日 - "Friday" in Japanese
• まで - "Until" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私用は禁止されています。

Shiyō wa kinshi sarete imasu

Personal use is prohibited.

Private use is prohibited.

• 私用 (shiyō) - Personal use
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 禁止 (kinshi) - Prohibited
• されています (sarete imasu) - It's being done

素質がある人は成功する可能性が高いです。

Soshitsu ga aru hito wa seikou suru kanousei ga takai desu

People with qualities will probably be successful.

• 素質 - quality, skill
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have
• 人 - person
• は - Topic particle
• 成功する - succeed
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject particle
• 高い - high
• です - to be (polite form)

締め切りまであと一週間です。

Shimekiri made ato ichi shuukan desu

It's just a week before the deadline.

• 締め切り (shimekiri) - deadline
• まで (made) - up until
• あと (ato) - outstanding
• 一週間 (isshukan) - A week
• です (desu) - is

返事を待っています。

Henshi wo matteimasu

I'm waiting for an answer.

I'm waiting for an answer.

• 返事 (henji) - Reply
• を (wo) - object particle
• 待っています (matteimasu) - Waiting