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:

盾を持って戦いましょう。

Tate wo motte tatakaimashou

Let's fight a shield.

• 盾 (tate) - shield
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持って (motte) - segurando
• 戦いましょう (tatakaimashou) - let's fight

相手を大切にしましょう。

Aite wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value our partners.

Take care of your opponent.

• 相手 (aite) - means "partner" or "opponent" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 大切 (taisetsu) - means "important" or "precious" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• しましょう (shimashou) - "We will do"

真っ直ぐに進みましょう。

Maggoku ni susumimashou

We will move forward with determination.

Let's go straight.

• 真っ直ぐに - adverb that means "in a straight line"
• 進みましょう - verb in the imperative that means "let's move forward"

真に感謝します。

Makoto ni kansha shimasu

I really appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

• 真 - real
• に - binding particle
• 感謝 - gratitude
• します - make

真剣に取り組みましょう。

Majime ni torikumimashou

Let's approach this seriously.

Let's work seriously.

• 真剣に - adverb that means "seriously"
• 取り組み - Noun meaning "approach", "way of dealing with something"
• ましょう - auxiliary verb indicating future action, in this case, "we will do"

知らせを受け取りました。

Shirase wo uketorimashita

I received the news.

I received the news.

• 知らせ - Notification, warning
• を - object particle
• 受け取りました - received, accepted

石油はエネルギー源として重要です。

Sekiyu wa enerugī gen to shite jūyō desu

Oil is important as a source of energy.

• 石油 (sekiyu) - oil
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• エネルギー (enerugii) - energy
• 源 (gen) - Source
• として (toshite) - how
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

破裂したガラスが散らばっていた。

Haretsu shita garasu ga chirabatte ita

The glass broke and spread.

The popped glass was spread.

• 破裂した - broken, shattered
• ガラス - glass
• が - subject particle
• 散らばっていた - was spread out

砂漠は美しいです。

Sabaku wa utsukushii desu

The desert is beautiful.

The desert is beautiful.

• 砂漠 (さばく) - desert
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい (うつくしい) - pretty
• です - Copula particle

石鹸で手を洗いましょう。

Sekken de te wo araimashou

Let's wash our hands with soap.

Wash your hands with soap.

• 石鹸 (せっけん) - Soap
• で - particle that indicates the means or tool used to carry out the action
• 手 (て) - hand
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 洗いましょう (あらいましょう) - let's wash