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

Related words

ブラシ

burashi

brush; brush

ビジネス

bizinesu

business

バッジ

bazi

distinctive

パジャマ

pazyama

Pajamas; pajamas

トランジスター

toranzisuta-

transistor

ティッシュペーパー

thisyupe-pa-

tissue

デコレーション

dekore-syon

decoration

デモンストレーション

demonsutore-syon

demonstration

チェンジ

tyenzi

change

タクシー

takushi-

Taxi

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."

Quick Access
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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:

初めての人目は緊張します。

Hajimete no hitome wa kinchou shimasu

The first time you are seen by someone it can be nervous.

My first person is nervous.

初めての (hajimete no) - First time
人目 (hitome) - someone's look
は (wa) - Topic particle
緊張します (kinchou shimasu) - get nervous

勘弁してください。

Kanben shite kudasai

Please forgive me.

Please let me go.

勘弁してください (kambenshite kudasai) - Japanese sentence
勘弁 (kamben) - Sorry, forgive me
して (shite) - form of the verb "suru" (する) in the gerund
ください (kudasai) - please, kindly

その邸宅はとても豪華でした。

sono teitaku wa totemo gouka deshita

That mansion was very luxurious.

The mansion was very luxurious.

その - demonstrative pronoun "that"
邸宅 - noun "mansion"
は - Topic particle
とても - adverb "very"
豪華 - adjective "luxurious"
でした - verb "to be" in the polite past

ビジネスは世界中で重要な役割を果たしています。

Bijinesu wa sekaijuu de juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Business plays an important role all over the world.

ビジネス - katakana word meaning "business"
は - Topic particle
世界中 - an expression that means "all over the world"
で - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
重要な - Adjective meaning "important"
役割 - noun meaning "role" or "function"
を - direct object particle
果たしています - verb meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill", conjugated in the present affirmative

プログラムを作成するのは楽しいです。

Puroguramu wo sakusei suru no wa tanoshii desu

Creating a program is fun.

プログラム (puroguramu) - Program
を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
作成する (sakusei suru) - Create, produce
のは (no wa) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
です (desu) - Particle that indicates the polite or polite form of the sentence

ミスを犯した。

Misu wo okashita

I made a mistake.

ミス (misu) - error
を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
犯した (okashita) - Committed

下位のポジションから上を目指す。

Kawai no pojishon kara ue o mezasu

Aiming high from a lower position.

Aim from the bottom position.

下位 - means "lower position".
の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
ポジション - a word borrowed from English meaning "position".
から - particle indicating origin or starting point.
上 - means "superior".
を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
目指す - verb meaning "to aim for" or "to aim at".

しょうがない

shouganai

significa "não há nada a ser feito" ou "não tem jeito". É uma expressão comum no Japão para indicar resignação diante de uma situação difícil ou inevitável.

Não posso ajudar

しょう - shou - significa "pouco" ou "menos"
が - ga - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
ない - nai - negação do verbo "aru", que significa "existir"

Em conjunto, a expressão "しょうがない" pode ser traduzida como "não pode ser ajudado" ou "não há nada a ser feito". É uma expressão comum em japonês para indicar resignação diante de uma situação difícil ou inevitável.

オーケストラの演奏は美しいです。

Ookesutora no ensou wa utsukushii desu

The presentation of an orchestra is beautiful.

The orchestra performance is beautiful.

オーケストラ - orchestra
の - Possessive particle (indicates that the orchestra is the subject of the sentence)
演奏 - Performance, execution (in this case, of the orchestra)
は - Topic particle (indicates that the performance of the orchestra is the theme of the sentence)
美しい - Nice, beautiful, beautiful
です - Copula particle (indicates that the sentence is an affirmative statement)