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:

私の友達はとても親切です。

Watashi no tomodachi wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My friends are very kind.

• 私の友達 - "Watashi no tomodachi" means "my friend" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - "totemo" means "very" in Japanese.
• 親切 - "shinsetsu" means "kind" or "gentle" in Japanese.
• です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.

私の志向は高いです。

Watashi no shikou wa takai desu

My orientation is high.

• 私の - possessive pronoun "my"
• 志向 - noun meaning "goal" or "ambition"
• は - topic particle indicating that what follows is the main subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

私の掌には未来が描かれている。

Watashi no tenohira ni wa mirai ga egakarete iru

The future is drawn in the palm of my hand.

The future is drawn in my palm.

• 私の (watashi no) - my
• 掌に (tenohira ni) - in the palm of the hand
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 未来が (mirai ga) - future (subject)
• 描かれている (egakarete iru) - is being drawn/painted

私の財布は赤いです。

Watashi no saifu wa akai desu

My wallet is red.

My wallet is red.

• 私の - "Meu" in Japanese
• 財布 - "wallet" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 赤い - "red" in Japanese, in the affirmative adjective form
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, in the affirmative present tense.

私の指がドアに挟まる。

Watashi no yubi ga doa ni hasamaru

My finger gets stuck in the door.

My finger is captured by the door.

• 私の指が - "My finger"
• ドアに - "at the door"
• 挟まる - "got stuck"

私の志望は医者です。

Watashi no shibou wa isha desu

My aspiration is to be a doctor.

My aspirant is a doctor.

• 私の志望 - means "my aspiration" or "my goal". It consists of two kanji - 私 (watashi) meaning "I" and 志望 (shibou) meaning "aspiration" or "goal".
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my aspiration".
• 医者 - means "doctor". It consists of two kanji - 医 (i) meaning "medicine" or "doctor" and 者 (sha) meaning "person" or "individual".
• です - verb "to be" in its polite and polished form. It is used to indicate the existence or identity of something or someone.

私の弟は長大な身長があります。

Watashi no otōto wa chōdai na shinchō ga arimasu

My brother has a tall height.

My brother has a long height.

• 私の弟 - "My brother"
• は - Topic particle
• 長大な - "Tall, of great stature"
• 身長 - "Body height"
• が - Subject particle
• あります - "Tem"

私の家の近くには美しい公園があります。

Watashi no ie no chikaku ni wa utsukushii en ga arimasu

There is a beautiful park near my house.

There is a beautiful park near my house.

• 私の家の近くには - "Near my house"
• 美しい - "bonito"
• 公園があります - "There is a park"

私の家はホームに近いです。

Watashi no ie wa hōmu ni chikai desu

My house is close to home.

• 私の家 - my house
• は - Topic particle
• ホーム - Train station
• に - Location particle
• 近い - Next
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私の課は日本語を勉強することです。

Watashi no ka wa nihongo wo benkyou suru koto desu

My section is to study Japanese.

• 私の課 (watashi no ka) - "my task"
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - "Japanese"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 勉強する (benkyou suru) - "study"
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present