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:

私は古い靴を新しいものと替えました。

Watashi wa furui kutsu o atarashii mono to kaemashita

I changed my old shoes for new ones.

I changed old shoes with new ones.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 古い (furui) - Japanese adjective meaning "old"
• 靴 (kutsu) - Japanese noun meaning "shoe"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• もの (mono) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• と (to) - particle indicating joint action, in this case, changing shoes
• 替えました (kaemashita) - Japanese verb meaning "changed"

私は新しい仕事に就くことを決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii shigoto ni tsuku koto o kimemashita

I decided to take on a new job.

I decided to get a new job.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• 仕事 (shigoto) - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
• 就く (tsuku) - Japanese verb that means "to assume" or "to start"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that indicates an action or event
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb in the past that means "decided"

私は新しいレシピを試みることに決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii reshipi o kokoromiru koto ni kimemashita

I decided to try a new recipe.

I decided to try a new recipe.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• レシピ (reshipi) - Japanese noun that means "recipe".
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case "recipe"
• 試みる (kokoromiru) - Japanese verb that means "to try"
• ことに (koto ni) - expression that indicates the intention or decision to do something
• 決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb meaning "decide" in the past tense

私は新しい提案を考えています。

Watashi wa atarashii teian o kangaeteimasu

I'm thinking of a new proposal.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• 提案 (teian) - Japanese noun meaning "proposal"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "proposal"
• 考えています (kangaeteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "I'm thinking"

私は新しいレシピを試すことが好きです。

Watashi wa atarashii reshipi o tamesu koto ga suki desu

I like to try new recipes.

I like to try a new recipe.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• レシピ (reshipi) - Japanese noun that means "recipe".
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 試す (tamesu) - Japanese verb that means "to try" or "to test"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that means "thing" or "action"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - Japanese adjective that means "like"
• です (desu) - Japanese auxiliary verb that indicates present tense and formality of the sentence

私は毎日新しいことを学ぶことが大切だと思います。

Watashi wa mainichi atarashii koto wo manabu koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I believe it's important to learn new things every day.

I think it's important to learn something new everyday.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 学ぶ (manabu) - Japanese verb that means "to learn"
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Japanese adjective that means "important"
• だ (da) - Japanese verb that means "to be"
• と (to) - Japanese particle that indicates the quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います (omoimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to think"

私の靴は新しいです。

Watashi no kutsu wa atarashii desu

My shoes are new.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 靴 (kutsu) - noun meaning "shoe"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the shoes"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating existence or state, in this case, "are"

私は新しいバッグを買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii baggu o kaitai desu

I want to buy a new bag.

I want to buy a new bag.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• バッグ (baggu) - noun that means "bag" or "suitcase"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the form of desire that means "want to buy"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the formality and courtesy of the sentence

私はショップで新しい衣服を買いました。

Watashi wa shoppu de atarashii ifuku o kaimashita

I bought new clothes in the store.

I bought new clothes in the store.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• ショップ (shoppu) - Japanese word meaning "store"
• で (de) - Subtitle indicating the location where the action took place, in this case, "na loja"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• 衣服 (ifuku) - Japanese word meaning "clothes"
• を (wo) - Direct object marker indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "clothing"
• 買いました (kaimashita) - verb that means "I bought"

私は新しいプロジェクトの構想を考えています。

Watashi wa atarashii purojekuto no kōsō o kangaete imasu

I'm thinking of ideas for a new project.

I'm thinking of 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"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between nouns, in this case, "of the project"
• 構想 (kousou) - noun meaning "conception" or "idea"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "thinking about a new project conception"
• 考えています (kangaeteimasu) - verb meaning "to be thinking", conjugated in the present continuous polite