Translation and Meaning of: し - shi
The Japanese word し (shi) is a short term, but full of nuances and interesting uses in the Japanese language. If you are learning Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding the meaning and context of this word can be very helpful. In this article, we will explore from the basics, like its translation and writing, to deeper aspects, such as its cultural usage and frequency in daily life. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, is a great tool to complement your learning.
In addition to being a grammatical particle and a common suffix, し also appears in expressions and even in Japanese proverbs. Its simplicity hides a wealth of meanings that vary according to the context. Let's unravel all of this clearly and directly, without unnecessary complications.
Meaning and uses of the word し
In its most basic form, し can be translated as "and" or "besides" when used as a particle. It connects sentences or ideas, adding a tone of enumeration or justification. For example, in a sentence like "寒いし、疲れたし、家に帰りたい" (Samui shi, tsukareta shi, ie ni kaeritai), the translation would be "It's cold, I'm tired and I want to go home." Here, し helps to list reasons naturally.
Another common use of し is as a suffix in words like 願いし (negaishi) or 思し (omoishi), although these cases are rarer in modern Japanese. It is worth noting that, unlike other particles, し carries a nuance of emphasis, often indicating that there are more reasons beyond those mentioned. This subtlety may go unnoticed by beginners, but it is essential for a more advanced mastery of the language.
The origin and writing of し
The word し is written in hiragana, one of the Japanese syllabaries, but it also corresponds to the kanji 死, which means "death." However, it is important to highlight that the use of the kanji 死 to represent し is restricted to specific contexts, such as compound words or expressions. Most of the time, especially when functioning as a particle, し appears in hiragana to avoid ambiguities.
Regarding its origin, し comes from Old Japanese and has roots in Classical language. Its evolution has accompanied the grammatical simplification of the language over the centuries. Although it is not one of the oldest particles, its use became established during the Edo period, when the Japanese language underwent various structural changes. Today, it is a common word both in everyday speech and in informal writing.
Curiosities and tips for memorizing し
An interesting fact about し is that, although it seems simple, many Japanese learners take time to realize its function of connecting ideas with emphasis. A helpful tip for memorizing its use is to associate it with situations where you want to list reasons or justify something. For example, when explaining why you didn't leave the house, saying "雨だし、忙しいし" (Ame da shi, isogashii shi) sounds more natural than simply listing the facts without the particle.
Moreover, し often appears in dialogues of animes and dramas, which can aid in learning. Paying attention to how characters use this particle in emotional or explanatory contexts is a practical way to absorb its meaning. Suki Nihongo provides real examples of sentences with し, making it easier to understand its application in daily life.
Vocabulary
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Synonyms and similar words
- 四 (shi) - four
- 詩 (shi) - poetry
- 志 (shi) - Determination; aspiration
- 士 (shi) - Samurai; warrior
- 仕 (shi) - Service; work
- 死 (shi) - Death
- 私 (shi) - Private; I (pronoun)
- 始 (shi) - Start; begin
- 子 (shi) - Son; child
- 指 (shi) - Pointing; finger
- 持 (ji) - Possess; hold
- 試 (shi) - Test; to experiment
- 旨 (shi) - Purpose; intention
- 誌 (shi) - Record; annals
- 織 (shiki) - Weave; fabric
- 視 (shi) - Vision; gaze
- 紫 (shi) - Purple
- 湿 (shitsu) - damp
- 摯 (shi) - Sincere feeling; deep
- 雌 (shi) - Female; woman
- 詩人 (shijin) - poet
- 資格 (shikaku) - Qualification; condition
- 指導 (shidou) - Guidance; leadership
Romaji: shi
Kana: し
Type: Letter
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: 10^24 (Kanji is Jis X 0212 Kuten 4906); Settillion (American); Quadrillion (British)
Meaning in English: 10^24 (kanji is JIS X 0212 kuten 4906);septillion (American);quadrillion (British)
Definition: shi [automatic] 1. Appear alone, without worrying about anything else. say. "Please be considerate." 2 Pretending to know. “Even though I'm good at this, I'm not as good as him.” 3 Bring it out. "I complained about the title." 【other】 1 Ask. Visit. "There is nothing you don't understand. I'm thinking of trying..." 2 Ask. Ask questions and ask questions. "This is a subject where you should use your wisdom in the best way possible." 3. Ask the other person by phone or letter. "How are you? Let's meet."
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How to Write in Japanese - (し) shi
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (し) shi:
Example Sentences - (し) shi
See below some example sentences:
Kanojo wa watashi ni oitsuku no ga muzukashii desu
She has a hard time reaching me.
She is difficult to talk to me.
- 彼女 - She
- は - Topic particle
- 私に - for me
- 追い付く - Achieve
- のが - Nominal particle
- 難しい - Difficult
- です - To be (polite)
Kanojo wa subarashii engi o enzuru
She performs a wonderful performance.
She performs a wonderful performance.
- 彼女 - she
- は - Topic particle
- 素晴らしい - amazing
- 演技 - performance
- を - direct object particle
- 演ずる - perform, execute
Kanojo wa kyasha na taikei o shiteimasu
She has a slender body.
She has a delicate figure.
- 彼女 - she
- は - Topic particle
- 華奢な - delicate
- 体型 - body
- を - direct object particle
- しています - have
Kanojo wa butai ni toujou shita
She appeared on stage.
- 彼女 - she
- は - Topic particle
- 舞台 - stage
- に - target particle
- 登場した - appeared
Kanojo wa nesshin ni benkyou shiteimasu
She is studying with enthusiasm.
She is studying eagerly.
- 彼女 - means "she" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "she".
- 熱心に - adverb that means "enthusiastically" or "with dedication".
- 勉強しています - compound verb that means "studying" or "learning".
Kanojo wa kare o houridashta
She pushed him aside.
She left him.
- 彼女 - It means "girlfriend" in Japanese.
- は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 彼 - It means "he" in Japanese.
- を - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
- 放り出した - Japanese verb that means "to throw away" or "to abandon."
Kanojo no doresu wa makka de totemo utsukushikatta
Her dress was living red and very beautiful.
His dress was bright and very beautiful red.
- 彼女の - "Kanojo no" means "of the girlfriend."
- ドレス - "Doresu" means "dress"
- は - "Wa" is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 真っ赤 - "Makka" means "bright red".
- で - "De" is a particle that indicates the means or manner of something.
- とても - "totemo" means "very"
- 美しかった - "Utsukushikatta" means "it was beautiful."
Kanojo to no yakusoku wa nashi desu
There is no promise to her.
- 彼女との約束 - means "commitment to girlfriend"
- は - Topic particle
- 無し - means "there is no"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
Karekore wo taisetsu ni shimashou
Let's value each other.
Let's value it.
- 彼此 (karera kore) - a Japanese term that means "one another"
- を (wo) - a Japanese particle that indicates the object of an action
- 大切 (taisetsu) - An adjective in Japanese that means "important" or "precious"
- に (ni) - a Japanese particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
- しましょう (shimashou) - A polite and courteous form of the Japanese verb "suru" which means "let's do"
Machi tooshii natsu yasumi ga hajimaru
I'm looking forward to the summer break.
The long summer vacation begins.
- 待ち遠しい - anxiously awaiting
- 夏休み - Summer holidays
- が - subject particle
- 始まる - start
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