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:

「丼物は美味しいです。」

Donburi mono wa oishii desu

The Donburi dishes are delicious.

The bowl is delicious.

• 「
• 丼物
• は
• 美味しい
• です

Explanation - - 「 - opening quote character in Japanese. - 丼物 - Japanese word that means "rice bowl with toppings." - は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "rice bowl with side dishes". - Delicious - The Japanese adjective that means "delicious" is "おいしい" (oishii). verb to be in Japanese, used to indicate the polite and formal way of speaking. - 。 - sentence ending character in Japanese.

とても嬉しいです。

Totemo ureshii desu

I am really happy.

I am really happy.

• <とても>- means "a lot" in Japanese.
• <嬉しい>- means "happy" in Japanese.
• <です>- is a closing particle in Japanese that indicates an affirmative statement.

念を押しておきます。

Nen wo oshite okimasu

I will emphasize/emphasize this.

I'll keep in mind.

• Input - Prohibited
• 念を押しておきます - Just in case or "I'll emphasize"
• Output - Exit

願書を提出してください。

Gansho wo teishutsu shite kudasai

Please send the registration form.

Send an registration.

• 願書 - registration document
• を - object particle
• 提出 - present, deliver
• して - verb form "suru" (to do)
• ください - please do

風に舞う花びらが美しいです。

Kaze ni mau hanabira ga utsukushii desu

The petals dancing in the wind are beautiful.

The petals dancing in the wind are beautiful.

• 風に舞う - meaning "dancing in the wind", is an expression that describes the action of flower petals being carried by the wind.
• 花びら - means "flower petals".
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "flower petals".
• 美しい - means "beautiful".
• です - is a grammatical particle that indicates the end of a sentence and is also used to indicate respect or formality.

食費を減らすことができました。

Shokuhi wo herasu koto ga dekimashita

We managed to reduce our spending on food.

I was able to reduce food expenses.

• 食費 (shokuhi) - food expenses
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 減らす (herasu) - reduce
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle
• できました (dekimashita) - The past form of the verb "dekiru" which means "to be able to"

飢饉は人々にとって大きな苦しみです。

Kikin wa hitobito ni totte ookina kurushimi desu

Hunger is a great pain for people.

A famine is a great suffering for people.

• 飢饉 (jikin) - extreme hunger, scarcity of food
• は (wa) - topic marker, indicates that what follows is the subject of the sentence
• 人々 (hitobito) - people, human beings
• にとって (nitotte) - for, regarding, from the point of view of
• 大きな (ookina) - great, important
• 苦しみ (kurushimi) - suffering, pain, distress
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

首脳会議が開かれました。

Shunou kaigi ga hirakaremashita

The leaders meeting was held.

The summit was performed.

• 首脳会議 - leaders meeting
• が - subject particle
• 開かれました - was held/aberta

馬鹿馬鹿しいことを言わないでください。

Mou bakabakashii koto wo iwanai de kudasai

Please don't say foolish things.

Don't say ridiculous things.

• 馬鹿 - dumb, stupid
• 馬鹿しい - Foolish, absurd
• こと - thing
• を - object particle
• 言わないで - do not say
• ください - Please

馬鹿らしいことを言わないでください。

Bakarashii koto wo iwanaide kudasai

Please don't say foolish things.

Don't say something stupid.

• 馬鹿らしい - means "ridiculous" or "absurd".
• こと - means "thing" or "subject".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 言わないで - negative form of the verb "to say" in the imperative, meaning "don't say".
• ください - polite form of the verb "to give", which indicates a request or demand.