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:
Yamahara ni wa utsukushii momiji ga mirareru
On the hillside of the mountain
Beautiful autumn leaves can be seen on the hillside.
- 山腹 - means "mountain slope".
- に - particle that indicates location.
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 美しい - adjective that means "beautiful".
- 紅葉 - noun that means "red foliage" or "autumn leaves".
- が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 見られる - verb that means "can be seen".
Benshō shinakereba naranai
Compensation must be made.
I have to compensate.
- 弁償 (benshō) - compensation, retribution
- しなければならない (shinakereba naranai) - must be done, it is necessary to do
Kare wa saigo made oikonde shōri o te ni shita
He fought to the end and got the victory.
He drove to the end and took the victory.
- 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
- は - Topic particle
- 最後まで - "to the end"
- 追い込んで - "pursue to the limit"
- 勝利 - "victory"
- を - direct object particle
- 手にした - "conquered"
Kanojo wa dōyō shite ita
She was agitated.
She was upset.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 動揺していた (douyoushiteita) - was agitated
Kanojo wa watashi ni atarashii doresu o miseru te kureta
She showed me a new dress.
She showed me a new dress.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 私に (watashi ni) - for me
- 新しい (atarashii) - new
- ドレス (doresu) - dress
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 見せてくれた (misete kureta) - showed me
Iyaiya to shita hyōjō o shite iru
They have a grumpy expression.
She has a bad expression.
- 厭々とした - means "bored" or "bored".
- 表情 - means "facial expression".
- をしている - is a particle that indicates action in progress, i.e. "is doing".
Kawaisou koto ga okotta
Something funny happened.
One funny thing happened.
- 可笑しい (おかしい) - funny, strange
- ことが - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 起こった (おこった) - happened, occurred
Yonkaku i heya wa hirobiro to shite iru
A room with four corners is spacious.
The square room is spacious.
- 四角い - It means "square" or "rectangular".
- 部屋 - means "room".
- は - partopic marker indicating that the subject of the sentence is "quarto quadrado".
- 広々 - It means "spacious" or "wide".
- と - Subtitle indicating that "spacious" is a characteristic of the quarto.
- している - Present form of the verb "する" indicating an ongoing action. In this case, "being" or "getting".
Doudou to shita taido de chousen suru
Challenge with a confident attitude.
Challenge with a dignified attitude.
- 堂々とした - dignified, imposing
- 態度 - attitude
- で - particle that indicates medium, form
- 挑戦する - challenge, face
Koukyou wa keizai no hatten wo imi shimasu
Prosperity means economic development.
The development of the economy has significance.
- 好況 - means "prosperity" or "good economic situation".
- は - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "good economic situation".
- 経済 - means "economy".
- の - particle indicating ownership, in this case "of the economy".
- 発展 - means "development" or "growth".
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "development of the economy".
- 意味します - verb meaning "means" or "has the meaning of".
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