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:

彼女は私に新しいドレスを見せてくれた。

Kanojo wa watashi ni atarashii doresu o miseru te kureta

She showed me a new dress.

She showed me a new dress.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私に (watashi ni) - for me
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• ドレス (doresu) - dress
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見せてくれた (misete kureta) - showed me

食物は私たちの生きるために必要なものです。

Shokumotsu wa watashitachi no ikiru tame ni hitsuyōna mono desu

Food is necessary for our survival.

Food is necessary to live.

• 食物 (shokumotsu) - food
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たちの (watashitachi no) - our
• 生きる (ikiru) - live
• ために (tameni) - for
• 必要な (hitsuyou na) - necessary
• もの (mono) - thing
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

音楽が私の心を癒してくれる。

Ongaku ga watashi no kokoro wo iyashite kureru

Music heals my heart.

Music heals my heart.

• 音楽 - music
• が - subject particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possession particle
• 心 - heart, mind
• を - direct object particle
• 癒してくれる - to heal, to relieve (verb in present tense, polite form)

陸上競技は私の一番好きなスポーツです。

Rikujō kyōgi wa watashi no ichiban sukina supōtsu desu

Athletics is my favorite sport.

• 陸上競技 - athletics
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 一番 - Number one
• 好き - Like
• な - adjective particle
• スポーツ - sport
• です - to be (polite form)

食品は私たちの健康にとても重要です。

Shokuhin wa watashitachi no kenkou ni totemo juuyou desu

Food is very important for our health.

• 食品 - foods
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - We
• の - Possessive particle
• 健康 - health
• に - Destination particle
• とても - Very
• 重要 - Important
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

彼女は私にお金を呉れると言った。

Kanojo wa watashi ni okane wo kureru to itta

She said she would give me money.

She told me that she would earn money.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• に (ni) - target particle
• お金 (okane) - money
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 呉れる (kureru) - give (humble form)
• と (to) - Quote particle
• 言った (itta) - he said

彼女は私のアイデアを拒絶しました。

Kanojo wa watashi no aidea o kyozetsu shimashita

She rejected my idea.

She refused my idea.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my/my
• アイデア (aidea) - idea
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 拒絶 (kyozetsu) - Rejected
• しました (shimashita) - Polite past tense of the verb "to do."

彼女は私を勉強に促した。

Kanojo wa watashi o benkyou ni unagashita

She encouraged me to study.

She asked me to study.

• 彼女 - she
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• を - direct object particle
• 勉強 - study
• に - target particle
• 促した - encouraged, stimulated

私は新しいシャツを買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii shatsu o kaitai desu

I want to buy a new shirt.

I want to buy a new shirt.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• シャツ (shatsu) - noun meaning "shirt"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to buy"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the formality of the sentence

私はこのプロジェクトを受け持ちます。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto wo ukemochi masu

I will be responsible for this project.

I take this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - katakana word meaning "project"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 受け持ちます (ukemochimasu) - verb meaning "to take responsibility for"