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:

電車に乗るのは楽しいです。

Densha ni noru no wa tanoshii desu

It's fun to ride the train.

It's fun to get on the train.

• 電車 (densha) - train
• に (ni) - Particle that indicates destination or location
• 乗る (noru) - ride, get on, catch (in this case, "get on the train")
• のは (no wa) - particle indicating sentence topic
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

静かにしてください。

Shizuka ni shite kudasai

Please be quiet.

Please be quiet.

• 静かに - "Silently"
• して - "fazer"
• ください - "Please"

非常に美しい景色ですね。

Hijou ni utsukushii keshiki desu ne

The landscape is very beautiful

It is a very beautiful landscape.

• 非常に - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• 景色 - noun meaning "landscape"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating confirmation or seeking confirmation

音楽が私の心を癒してくれる。

Ongaku ga watashi no kokoro wo iyashite kureru

Music heals my heart.

Music heals my heart.

• 音楽 - music
• が - subject particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possession particle
• 心 - heart, mind
• を - direct object particle
• 癒してくれる - to heal, to relieve (verb in present tense, polite form)

録音を再生してください。

Rokuon wo saisei shite kudasai

Please play the recording.

Please play the recording.

• 録音 - audio recording
• を - object particle
• 再生 - reproduce
• して - form of the verb "suru" (する) in the gerund
• ください - Please

長官は国の重要なポジションです。

Choukan wa kuni no juuyou na pojiton desu

The office of choukan is an important position in the country.

The secretary is an important position for the country.

• 長官 - means "boss" or "leader" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• の - Japanese particle of possession, used to indicate that a "country" owns something.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, used as an adjective for "ポジション".
• ポジション - means "position" in English, but is often used in Japanese to refer to a job or position.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate that the sentence is a statement or affirmation.

間違いを犯さないように注意してください。

Machigai wo okasanai you ni chuui shite kudasai

Please be careful not to make mistakes.

Be careful not to make mistakes.

• 間違い (Machigai) - error
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the object of the sentence
• 犯さない (okasanai) - don't commit
• ように (youni) - Expression that indicates a purpose or objective
• 注意 (chuui) - Attention
• してください (shite kudasai) - Please, do it.

陽射しは眩しいですね。

Hizashi wa mabushii desu ne

The sunlight is bright

The sunlight is stunning.

• 陽射し (ひざし) - Sunlight
• は - Topic particle
• 眩しい (まぶしい) - brilliant, dazzling
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - particle for seeking confirmation or agreement

随分おいしい料理ですね。

Zuibun oishii ryouri desu ne

This is a very delicious dish.

It is a very delicious dish.

• 随分 - adverb meaning "very" or "quite"
• おいしい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality
• ね - Closing tag that indicates a question or a confirmation

雑談するのは楽しいですね。

Zatsudan suru no wa tanoshii desu ne

chatting is fun

It's fun to talk.

• 雑談するのは - zatsudan suru no wa (verb "zatsudan suru" meaning "to talk casually" + particle "no" indicating possession + particle "wa" indicating topic)
• 楽しいです - tanoshii desu (adjective "tanoshii" meaning "fun" + verb "desu" meaning to be)
• ね - ne (particle indicating emphasis or seeking confirmation)