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:

携帯電話は私たちの生活に欠かせないものになっています。

Keitai denwa wa watashitachi no seikatsu ni kakasenai mono ni natte imasu

Cell phones have become indispensable in our daily lives.

Cell phones are indispensable to our lives.

• 携帯電話 (keitai denwa) - cell phone
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 生活 (seikatsu) - life, lifestyle
• に (ni) - target particle
• 欠かせない (kakasenai) - indispensable
• もの (mono) - thing
• に (ni) - target particle
• なっています (natte imasu) - has become, is becoming

彼女は私に勝っている。

Kanojo wa watashi ni masutte iru

She is surpassing me.

She is above me.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action
• 勝っている (katteiru) - is winning

彼女は私に仕事を言い付けた。

Kanojo wa watashi ni shigoto o iitsuketa

She gave me work orders.

She gave me a job.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私に (watashi ni) - for me
• 仕事 (shigoto) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 言い付けた (iitsuketa) - ordenou

彼はいつも私を冷やかす。

Kare wa itsumo watashi o hiyakasu

He always makes fun of me.

He always creeps me out.

• 彼 - pronoun that means "he"
• は - topic particle, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "he"
• いつも - adverb meaning "always"
• 私を - pronoun meaning "me", followed by the object particle "を", indicating that "me" is the object of the action
• 冷やかす - verb meaning "to mock" or "to ridicule"

家は私たちの居場所です。

Ie wa watashitachi no ibasho desu

Home is our place.

Home is our place.

• 家 (ie) - means "house" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - means "we" in Japanese
• の (no) - possessive particle in Japanese
• 居場所 (ibasho) - It means "a place where you feel at home" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - polite way to be/act in Japanese

地球は私たちの唯一の家です。

Chikyuu wa watashitachi no yuiitsu no ie desu

The earth is our only home.

The earth is our only home.

• 地球 (chikyuu) - Planet Earth
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 唯一の (yuiitsu no) - single
• 家 (ie) - house
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

地球は私たちの大切な家です。

Chikyuu wa watashitachi no taisetsu na ie desu

The earth is our precious house.

The earth is our important home.

• 地球 - Planet Earth
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - We
• の - Possessive particle
• 大切な - Important
• 家 - House
• です - Verb to be/estar

動物は私たちと共に生きる大切な存在です。

Doubutsu wa watashitachi to tomo ni ikiru taisetsuna sonzai desu

The animals are important beings that live with us.

Animals are important beings who live with us.

• 動物 (doubutsu) - Animal
• は (wa) - marcador de tópico
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we/us
• と (to) - with
• 共に (tomonini) - juntos
• 生きる (ikiru) - "Viver"
• 大切な (taisetsuna) - importante
• 存在 (sonzai) - existência
• です (desu) - copula (to be)

住宅は私たちの人生の中で最も大きな買い物の一つです。

Jūtaku wa watashitachi no jinsei no naka de mottomo ōkina kaimono no hitotsu desu

A house is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

Housing is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

• 住宅 (juutaku) - house, residence
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we, our
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
• 最も (mottomo) - the most, the most important
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 買い物 (kaimono) - purchase, purchase of goods
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - one of the
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

九日は私の誕生日です。

Kokonoka wa watashi no tanjoubi desu

The 9th is my birthday.

9th is my birthday.

• 九日 - day nine
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 誕生日 - birthday
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"