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."
Quick Access
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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:
Honmono no hinshitsu wo motsu seihin ga hoshii desu
I want a product with real quality.
- 本物の品質を持つ - genuine quality
- 製品 - product
- 欲しい - wish
- です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)
Yawarakai niku wa oishii desu
Tender meat is delicious.
- 柔らかい - adjective that means "soft" or "smooth"
- 肉 - noun that means "meat"
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 美味しい - adjective that means "delicious" or "tasty"
- です - linking verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
Sambah de umi wo nagameru no wa totemo subarashii desu
It is wonderful to look at the sea from the pier.
It's great to look at the sea from the pier.
- 桟橋 (sambashi) - a pier, a pier
- から (kara) - from, starting at
- 海 (umi) - the sea
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 眺める (nagameru) - look, contemplate
- の (no) - particle of possession or explanation
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - Very, extremely
- 素晴らしい (subarashii) - Wonderful, excellent
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kaku heiki wa zettai ni shiyou shite wa ikenai
Never use nuclear weapons.
- 核兵器 - nuclear weapon
- は - Topic particle
- 絶対に - absolutely
- 使用して - using
- はいけない - not allowed
Kabushiki shijō wa kyō mo kakkō o tei shite imasu
The stock market is still booming today.
- 株式市場 - stock market
- は - Topic particle
- 今日 - today
- も - also
- 活況 - prosperity, good performance
- を - direct object particle
- 呈しています - is demonstrating/presenting
Ueki wo ueru no wa tanoshii desu
Planting trees and shrubs is fun.
It's fun to plant plants.
- 植木 (shokuboku) - plants
- を (wo) - object particle
- 植える (ueru) - to plant
- のは (nowa) - Topic particle
- 楽しい (tanoshii) - fun
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Tanoshii koto ga suki desu
I like fun things.
- 楽しい - Fun, pleasant
- こと - thing, subject
- が - subject particle
- 好き - like, appreciate
- です - verb to be in the polite form
Kyokumete utsukushii keshiki desu
It is an extremely beautiful landscape.
It is a very beautiful view.
- 極めて - extremely
- 美しい - beautiful
- 景色 - landscape
- です - is
Hashiwatashi wo suru hitsuyou ga aru
We need to make a bridge.
You need to make a bridge.
- 橋渡し (hashiwatashi) - means "to cross a bridge", it can be used literally or figuratively
- を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
- する (suru) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"
- 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
- が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
- ある (aru) - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"
Tsugitsugi ni atarashii aidea wo dashite iku
We will give new ideas one after another.
- 次々に - adverb that indicates a consecutive action, one after the other;
- 新しい - adjective meaning "new";
- アイデア - noun meaning "idea";
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence;
- 出していく - compound verb meaning "to launch, present" and "to continue doing something in the future."
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