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:

私の職務は顧客サポートです。

Watashi no shokumu wa kokyaku sapōto desu

My duties are customer support.

• 私の職務 - "My role/job"
• は - Topic marking particle
• 顧客 - "Customers"
• サポート - "Suporte"
• です - End of sentence punctuation, indicating that the sentence is affirmative and formal.

私の給与は毎月支払われます。

Watashi no kyuuyo wa maitsuki shiharawaremasu

My salary is paid every month.

• 私の給与 - my remuneration/salary
• は - topic particle, indicating that the theme of the sentence is "my remuneration"
• 毎月 - every month
• 支払われます - is paid

私の氏名は山田太郎です。

Watashi no shimei wa Yamada Taro desu

My name is Yamada Taro.

My name is Taro Yamada.

• 私の氏名 - "Watashi no shimei" means "my name" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 山田太郎 - "Yamada Taro" is a Japanese personal name.
• です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.

私の時間割は毎週月曜日から金曜日までです。

Watashi no jikanwari wa maishuu getsuyoubi kara kin'youbi made desu

My schedule is Monday through Friday every Monday.

• 私の時間割 - "My schedule" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎週 - "Every week" in Japanese
• 月曜日 - "Monday" in Japanese
• から - "From" in Japanese
• 金曜日 - "Friday" in Japanese
• まで - "Until" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私立学校は高いです。

Shiritsu gakkou wa takai desu

Private schools are expensive.

• 私立学校 (shiritsu gakkou) - private school
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - expensive high
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私用は禁止されています。

Shiyō wa kinshi sarete imasu

Personal use is prohibited.

Private use is prohibited.

• 私用 (shiyō) - Personal use
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 禁止 (kinshi) - Prohibited
• されています (sarete imasu) - It's being done

私の部門は新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。

Watashi no bumon wa atarashii purojekuto ni torikunde imasu

My department is working on a new project.

• 私の部門 - "Watashi no bumon" means "my department" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 新しい - "atarashii" means "new" in Japanese.
• プロジェクト - "purojekuto" is a word in Japanese that means "project".
• に - "ni" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of an action.
• 取り組んでいます - "torikundeimasu" is a verbal form in Japanese that means "we are working hard."

私の身長は一メートル六十センチです。

Watashi no shinchou wa ichi meetoru rokujuu senchi desu

My height is 1 meter and 60 centimeters.

My height is 60 cm per meter.

• 私の身長は - "Watashi no shinchou wa" means "My height is"
• 一メートル - "Ichi meetoru" means "One meter"
• 六十センチ - "Rokujuu senchi" means "Sixty centimeters"
• です - "Desu" is a particle that indicates the conclusion of the sentence and can be translated as "is" or "are"

私の身分は中流階級です。

Watashi no mibun wa chuuryuu kaikyuu desu

My status is a middle class.

• 私の身分 - "My social position"
• は - Topic particle
• 中流階級 - "Middle class"
• です - Polite form of "to be"

私鉄は都市部でよく使われる交通手段です。

Shitetsu wa toshibu de yoku tsukawareru kotsu shudan desu

Private railways are the commonly used transport in urban areas.

• 私鉄 - private railways
• は - Topic particle
• 都市部 - urban areas
• で - Location particle
• よく - often
• 使われる - to be used
• 交通手段 - means of transport
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present