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
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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
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."
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How to Write in Japanese - (し) shi
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (し) shi:
Example Sentences - (し) shi
See below some example sentences:
Ayamaru koto wa ningen rashii koto da
To err is human.
The wrong thing is human.
- 誤る - verb that means "to err"
- こと - noun that means "thing"
- は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
- 人間 - noun that means "human being"
- らしい - suffix that indicates similarity or appearance
- こと - noun that means "thing"
- だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the affirmative form and present tense
Keibu wa jiken no sousa wo tantou shiteimasu
The inspector is responsible for investigating the case.
The inspector is responsible for investigating the case.
- 警部 (Keibu) - Title of a high-ranking Japanese police officer
- は (wa) - Topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "警部".
- 事件 (jiken) - Incident or case
- の (no) - Possessive particle that indicates that the "jiken" is the object of the action.
- 捜査 (sousa) - Investigation
- を (wo) - Object particle that indicates that "sousa" is the direct object of the action
- 担当しています (tantou shiteimasu) - You are in charge of
Tani wa utsukushii shizen no fūkei desu
Valley is a beautiful natural landscape.
- 谷 (tani) - valley, gorge
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
- 自然 (shizen) - nature
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 風景 (fukei) - landscape
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Goei wa taisetsu na yakuwari o hatashimasu
Escort plays an important role.
- 護衛 - body guard
- は - Topic particle
- 大切 - important, valuable
- な - Particle indicating adjective
- 役割 - Paper, function
- を - direct object particle
- 果たします - perform, fulfill
Gidai wo hanashiaimashou
Let's discuss the matter.
Let's discuss the agenda.
- 議題 (giji) - subject, theme
- を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
- 話し合い (hanashiai) - Discussion, conversation
- ましょう (mashou) - Kindly form of the verb "fazer", indicating a suggestion or invitation
Saifu wo wasurete shimatta
I forgot my wallet.
I forgot my wallet.
- 財布 - wallet
- を - direct object particle
- 忘れてしまった - I completely forgot.
Kamotsu wo hakobu fune ga minato ni haitte kimashita
A ship carrying cargo has just entered the port.
A ship carrying cargo entered the harbor.
- 貨物 (ka-motsu) - cargo, merchandise
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 運ぶ (ha-kobu) - carry
- 船 (fune) - ship, boat
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 港 (minato) - port
- に (ni) - target particle
- 入ってきました (haitte kimashita) - entered
Kashidashi wa toshokan de dekimasu
You can rent it from the library.
- 貸し出し - loan
- は - Topic particle
- 図書館 - library
- で - Location particle
- できます - can be done
Kashi wa taisetsu na sekinin desu
Loans is an important responsibility.
- 貸し - noun that means "loan"
- は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject in question is the "loan"
- 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
- な - particle that functions as an adjective, indicating that the "loan" is "important"
- 責任 - noun meaning "responsibility"
- です - verb "to be" in the present, indicating that the "loan" is an "important responsibility"
Anata wa utsukushii desu
You are beautiful.
You are handsome.
- 貴女 - Japanese pronoun meaning "you" or "lady"
- は - Japanese particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "you"
- 美しい - Japanese adjective meaning "pretty" or "beautiful"
- です - Japanese verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of saying something, in this case, "is"
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