Translation and Meaning of: 私 - atashi

If you are learning Japanese, you have probably come across the word 私[あたし] and wondered: why are there so many ways to say "I" in this language? This variation, mainly used by women, carries cultural and historical nuances that make it special. In this article, we will explore its etymology, the pictogram of the kanji, how it is used in daily life, and even tips for memorizing it. If you want to understand the origin of this expression or how to apply it in sentences to study in Anki, keep reading!

In the largest Japanese dictionary, Suki Nihongo, you will find details about writing, practical examples, and even curiosities that go beyond the basics. Here, we will uncover everything from the stroke order of kanji to why あたし sounds softer than other first-person forms. Want to discover why this word is so popular and how to use it without sounding like an anime character? Let's go!

Etymology and Origin of 私 [あたし]

The word 私[あたし] has an interesting history. Originally, the kanji 私 was read as わたくし, a formal way of saying "I." Over time, the pronunciation has changed in colloquial language, especially among women, until reaching the あたし we know today. This evolution reflects the tendency of Japanese to shorten and soften expressions in daily life.

The kanji itself is composed of the radical 禾 (ear of rice) and 厶 (private), suggesting something personal or intimate. No wonder, あたし conveys a more delicate and informal feeling, different from わたし or ぼく. If you've ever heard a female character in a dorama using this form, now you know why!

Use and Popularity in Modern Japanese

While わたし is neutral and can be used by anyone in formal situations, あたし is almost exclusively feminine and sounds more casual. You will hardly hear a man using this variation unless he is playing a role or joking. In groups of friends or informal conversations, many women choose it precisely because it conveys a more relaxed image.

It's worth noting that, although common, あたし is not the best choice in professional settings or when speaking with superiors. In those cases, the classic わたし still prevails. A tip? Pay attention to how female characters in series and manga use this word — it’s a great way to get the right context!

Tips for Memorizing and Applying

To fixate 私[あたし], try associating it with everyday situations. Imagine a friend telling a story: "あたし、昨日映画を見たよ！" ("I saw a movie yesterday!"). The softer sound helps differentiate it from other forms. Another strategy is to create flashcards in Anki with real examples, such as dialogues from dramas or J-pop songs that use this expression.

How about a pun you'll never forget? Think of "あたしは私(わたし)じゃない" ("I'm not 'watashi'"). Playing with the differences in pronunciations can be fun and effective. Finally, note: if you are a man, avoid using あたし unless you are acting — otherwise, it may sound strange to natives. Women, enjoy the naturalness that this word brings!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• わたし (watashi) - I (neutral use, by a woman)
• 僕 (boku) - I (neutral use, usually by men)
• 俺 (ore) - I (informal, masculine)
• 自分 (jibun) - I (reflexive form)
• あたし (atashi) - I (informal, female use)
• うち (uchi) - I (feminine use, colloquial in some regions)
• わたくし (watakushi) - I (formal use)
• おれ (ore) - I (informal use, masculine, variant of 俺)
• おいら (oira) - I (informal use, often in contexts of friends or groups)
• わし (washi) - I (regional usage, typically by elderly men)
• あたい (atai) - I (female, informal, with a connotation of humility)
• あたくし (atakushi) - I (female, formal)
• じぶん (jibun) - I (reflexive form, like 自分)
• てまえ (temae) - I (a way to refer to oneself, usually in formal situations)
• うちら (uchira) - We (informal)
• がくせい (gakusei) - student
• がくしゃ (gakusha) - Scholar, researcher
• がくちょう (gakuchou) - Academic director
• がくれき (gakureki) - Academic transcript
• がくりょくしゃ (gakuryokusha) - Academic specialist
• がくぶ (gakubu) - University, academic department
• がくほう (gakuha) - Academic direction
• がくしゅう (gakushuu) - Learning, study
• がくしょく (gakushoku) - School meals, meals for students
• がくしょう (gakushou) - Academic recognition, award
• がくそう (gakusou) - Academic courses, study plans
• がくもん (gakumon) - Knowledge construction, academia
• がくせん (gakusen) - Education line, academic line

私

Romaji: atashi
Kana: あたし
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: I

Meaning in English: I (fem)

Definition: Someone who exposes themselves.

Example Sentences - (私) atashi

See below some example sentences:

私たちは目標を達成しました。すべてが完了しました。

Watashitachi wa mokuhyō o tassei shimashita. Subete ga ryō deshita

We reached our goal. Everything is finished.

We achieved our goals. Everything has been completed.

• 私たちは - We
• 目標を - objective
• 達成しました - we reached
• すべてが - everything
• 完了しました - has been completed

私は毎週新しい商品を仕入れます。

Watashi wa maishuu atarashii shouhin o shiirerimasu

I buy new products every week.

I buy new products every week.

• 私は - personal pronoun "I"
• 毎週 - adverb "weekly"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• 商品を - noun "product" + particle "the" (direct object)
• 仕入れます - verb "comprar" (formal)

私の手首が痛いです。

Watashi no tekubi ga itai desu

My wrist is hurting.

My wrist hurts.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "my" is the word being modified
• 手首 (tekubi) - noun meaning "pulse"
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating that "pulse" is the subject of the sentence
• 痛い (itai) - adjective meaning "sore"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates that the sentence is in the present tense and is a polite statement

私は常に努めることを忘れずにいます。

Watashi wa tsuneni tsutomeru koto wo wasurezu ni imasu

I always strive without forgetting.

I always remember working.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 常に (tsuneni) - adverb meaning "always"
• 努める (tsutomeru) - verb that means "to strive"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 忘れずに (wasurezu ni) - expression that means "without forgetting"
• います (imasu) - verb that indicates the action of being present, in this case, "I am present"

私は弟子を育てることが好きです。

Watashi wa deshi o sodateru koto ga suki desu

I like to train disciples.

I like to raise my disciples.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 弟子 (deshi) - substantivo que significa "discípulo"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 育てる (sodateru) - verb meaning "to create" or "to educate"
• こと (koto) - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - verb that indicates the existence or state of something, equivalent to the verb "ser" or "estar" in Portuguese

私は毎日新聞を講読しています。

Watashi wa mainichi shinbun o koudoku shiteimasu

I read the newspaper every day.

I am reading the newspaper every day.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 毎日 - "every day"
• 新聞 - "newspaper"
• を - direct object particle
• 講読 - "read aloud; read in public"
• しています - polite form of the verb "to do" in the present continuous

私は彼女の部屋を覗いた。

Watashi wa kanojo no heya o nozokita

I looked into her room.

I looked into her room.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "girlfriend" or "her"
• の - possessive pronoun indicating that "the room" belongs to "her"
• 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 覗いた - verb meaning "I looked" or "I spied"

私は日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa Nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I".
• 日本語 - means "Japanese" in Japanese.
• を - is a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "Japanese".
• 勉強 - means "study" in Japanese.
• しています - is a conjugation of the verb "suru" which indicates action in progress, in this case, "I'm studying".

私たちは明日の会議のために部屋を仕切ります。

Watashitachi wa ashita no kaigi no tame ni heya o shikirimasu

We're going to share a room for tomorrow's meeting.

We will join the room for tomorrow's meeting.

• 私たち - we
• 明日 - tomorrow
• 会議 - meeting
• ために - for
• 部屋 - living room/bedroom
• 仕切ります - divide/separate

彼女は私を悩ます。

Kanojo wa watashi o nayamasu

She bothers me.

She bothered me.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 悩ます (nayamasu) - bother, worry