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

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

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

し

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."

Example Sentences - (し) shi

See below some example sentences:

摘んで食べると美味しいです。

Tsumande taberu to oishii desu

It is delicious when harvested and eaten.

• 摘んで - Means "to collect" or "to harvest" in Japanese.
• 食べる - It means "eat" in Japanese.
• と - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "when."
• 美味しい - It means "delicious" or "tasty" in Japanese.
• です - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a formal declaration, in this case, "it is"

支払いが完了しました。

Shiharai ga kanryou shimashita

The payment has been completed.

• 支払い (shiharai) - payment
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 完了 (kanryou) - conclusion, finalization
• しました (shimashita) - Polite past tense of the verb "to do."

攻めの姿勢で前進しよう。

Seme no shisei de zenshin shiyou

We will move forward in an aggressive posture.

• 攻め - It means "attack" or "offensive" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• 姿勢 - It means "posture" or "attitude" in Japanese.
• で - particle that indicates the means or method used to perform an action.
• 前進 - It means "advance" or "progress" in Japanese.
• しよう - imperative form of the verb "suru", which means "to do". In this case, the phrase means "let's make an advance with an offensive attitude".

教科書を買いました。

Kyōkasho o kaimashita

I bought a textbook.

I bought a book.

• 教科書 (kyoukasho) - textbook
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 買いました (kaimashita) - I bought

数字は重要な役割を果たします。

Sūji wa jūyōna yakuwari o hatashimasu

Numbers play an important role.

• 数字 (suuji) - means "number" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 重要な (juuyou na) - 重要 (じゅうよう)
• 役割 (yakuwari) - means "role" or "function" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 果たします (hatashimasu) - verb meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill" in Japanese

文明な社会を目指しましょう。

Bunmei na shakai wo mezashimashou

Let's look for a civil society.

• 文明な - civilized
• 社会 - society
• を - direct object particle
• 目指しましょう - let's strive to achieve

斑は美しい模様を持つ。

Madara wa utsukushii moyou wo motsu

Madara has a belo padrão.

The stitches have a beautiful pattern.

• 斑 - Japanese word meaning "stain"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Japanese adjective meaning "beautiful"
• 模様 - Japanese noun meaning "pattern" or "design"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 持つ - Japanese verb meaning "to have" or "to possess"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

新しい冒険を始めよう。

Atarashii bouken wo hajimeyou

Start a new adventure.

• 新しい - new
• 冒険 - Adventure
• を - direct object particle
• 始めよう - let's start

新しい未来を迎える。

Atarashii mirai wo mukaeru

Receive a new future.

A new future.

• 新しい (Atarashii) - new
• 未来 (Mirai) - future
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 迎える (Mukaeru) - receber, acolher

新人は新鮮なエネルギーをもたらします。

Shinjin wa shinsen na enerugī o motarasimasu

The newborn bring new energy.

• 新人 (shinjin) - new member
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 新鮮な (shinsen na) - Fresh, new
• エネルギー (enerugī) - energy
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• もたらします (motarashimasu) - bring, provide