Translation and Meaning of: 新 - shin

The Japanese word 新 [しん] is an essential term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. With a meaning revolving around "new" or "fresh," it appears in various contexts, from names of establishments to everyday expressions. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and most common uses of this word, as well as tips to memorize it easily.

If you've encountered terms like 新しい (atarashii) or 新聞 (shinbun), you’ve noticed that the kanji 新 is present in various words of the Japanese vocabulary. Here, we will understand how it is used, its pronunciation, and even curiosities about its application in names of stores, products, and events. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, provides detailed information for those who want to master this and other fundamental terms.

Meaning and use of 新 [しん]

The kanji 新 means "new" and is often used in compounds to indicate something recent, renewed, or unprecedented. It can appear alone, as in 新幹線 (shinkansen, the bullet train), or combined with other kanjis, as in 新年 (shinnen, New Year). Its most common reading is "shin," but it can also be read as "atarashii" or "ara" in certain contexts.

In everyday life, this word is widely used in commercial establishments. Restaurants, stores, and even train stations often use 新 to highlight new items, such as in 新メニュー (shin menyuu, new menu). Additionally, it appears in expressions like 新卒 (shinsotsu, newly graduated) and 新製品 (shinseihin, new product), demonstrating its versatility.

Origin and writing of the kanji 新

The kanji 新 is composed of two radicals: 斤 (kin, axe) and 辛 (karai, spicy). Originally, it represented the idea of "cutting fresh wood," which evolved into the meaning of "new." This relationship between cutting something recent and the concept of novelty is an interesting example of how kanjis carry histories in their structure.

In writing, it is important to pay attention to the order of strokes to avoid mistakes. The radical 斤 comes first, followed by 辛. Mastering the correct writing helps with memorization and recognition of kanji in different contexts. Tools like Suki Nihongo provide detailed guides to practice Japanese calligraphy.

Tips for memorizing 新 [しん]

An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with known terms that use it. For example, 新宿 (Shinjuku) is one of the most famous stations in Tokyo, and 新潟 (Niigata) is a Japanese prefecture. Creating flashcards with these words can help reinforce learning.

Another tip is to practice with everyday phrases, such as "この本は新しいですか?" (Kono hon wa atarashii desu ka?, Is this book new?). Repeating these structures in real contexts makes assimilation easier. Additionally, watching animes or dramas where the word appears is also a great way to become familiar with its natural use.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 新しい (atarashii) - New
• 新たな (aratana) - New, Fresh (emphasis on something different or renewed)
• 新規 (shinki) - New, New type (emphasis on a new record or type)
• 新設 (shinseki) - New installation (emphasis on something newly established)
• 新築 (shinchiku) - New construction (emphasis on a new building)
• 新品 (shinpin) - New product (emphasis on something that has never been used)
• 新作 (shinsaku) - New work (emphasis on artistic or entertainment works)
• 新年 (shinnen) - New Year
• 新型 (shingata) - New model (emphasis on new versions/types of products)
• 新入生 (shinnyuusei) - Freshman (new student in a school or university)

新

Romaji: shin
Kana: しん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: new

Meaning in English: new

Definition: New: Denotes something that did not exist before, was recently created, was created or has just started.

Example Sentences - (新) shin

See below some example sentences:

私は新しいプロジェクトを仕掛けるつもりです。

Watashi wa atarashii purojekuto o shikakeru tsumori desu

I intend to start a new project.

I'm going to set up a new project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "project"
• 仕掛ける (shikakeru) - verb meaning "to begin" or "to begin"
• つもり (tsumori) - expression that indicates the intention to do something
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私は古い携帯電話を新しいものに代えました。

Watashi wa furui keitai denwa wo atarashii mono ni kaemashita

I swapped my old phone for a new one.

I replaced the old cell phone with a new one.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 古い (furui) - adjective meaning "old"
• 携帯電話 (keitai denwa) - mobile phone
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• もの (mono) - noun that means "thing"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction of the action
• 代えました (kaemashita) - The verb that means "I exchanged" is "trocado".

朝は新しい始まりです。

Asa wa atarashii hajimari desu

The morning is a new beginning.

The morning is a new beginning.

• 朝 - morning
• は - Topic particle
• 新しい - new
• 始まり - beginning
• です - Verb to be

新たな始まりがある。

Arata na hajimari ga aru

There is a new beginning.

There is a new beginning.

• 新たな - new
• 始まり - beginning
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist

新婚旅行は楽しいですね。

Shinkon ryokou wa tanoshii desu ne

Honeymoon is fun

The honeymoon is fun.

• 新婚旅行 - Means "honeymoon" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "honeymoon".
• 楽しい - adjective meaning "fun" or "pleasant."
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.
• ね - final particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation of what has been said.

旅客は新幹線で旅行します。

Ryokaku wa shinkansen de ryokou shimasu

Passengers travel by bullet train.

Passengers travel by Shinkansen.

• 旅客 (ryokaku) - passenger
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 新幹線 (shinkansen) - bullet-train
• で (de) - Location particle
• 旅行 (ryokou) - trip
• します (shimasu) - verb "to do" in polite form

家具を新しく買い換えたいです。

Kagu wo atarashiku kai kaetai desu

I want to exchange my furniture for new ones.

I want to buy new furniture.

• 家具 (kagu) - furniture
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 新しく (atarashiku) - new
• 買い換えたい (kaikae tai) - want to exchange/buy
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

八百屋で新鮮な野菜を買いました。

Yao ya de shinsen na yasai wo kaimashita

I bought fresh vegetables at the vegetable store.

I bought fresh vegetables in a green one.

• 八百屋 (yaoya) - vegetable store
• で (de) - in
• 新鮮な (shinsenna) - fresco
• 野菜 (yasai) - vegetables
• を (wo) - direct object
• 買いました (kaimashita) - bought

乗り換えることは新しい冒険を始めることです。

Norikae suru koto wa atarashii bouken o hajimeru koto desu

Changing trains is like starting a new adventure.

The transfer is starting a new adventure.

• 乗り換える - means "to change means of transport" or "to make a connection"
• こと - is a particle that indicates that the previous word is a noun and that it is being used as the subject of the sentence
• は - it is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 新しい - means "new"
• 冒険 - means "adventure"
• を - it is a particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 始める - It means "Begin"
• こと - again the particle that indicates the noun used as the topic of the sentence
• です - it is a particle that indicates that the sentence is a statement

この新しいビジネスモデルの確立には時間がかかるでしょう。

Kono atarashii bijinesu moderu no kakuritsu ni wa jikan ga kakaru deshou

Establishing this new business model will take time.

• この (kono) - this
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• ビジネスモデル (bijinesu moderu) - business model
• の (no) - of
• 確立 (kakuritsu) - establishment
• には (niwa) - require
• 時間 (jikan) - time
• がかかる (gakakaru) - will take
• でしょう (deshou) - probably