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:

私はぐっすり眠っていました。

Watashi wa gussuri nemutte imashita

I was sleeping deeply.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ぐっすり (gussuri) - adverb meaning "deeply" or "well slept"
• 眠っていました (nemutte imashita) - compound verb meaning "was sleeping"

私は新しい仕事に就くことを決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii shigoto ni tsuku koto o kimemashita

I decided to take on a new job.

I decided to get a new job.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• 仕事 (shigoto) - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
• 就く (tsuku) - Japanese verb that means "to assume" or "to start"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that indicates an action or event
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb in the past that means "decided"

私は毎週ゼミに参加しています。

Watashi wa maishuu zemi ni sanka shiteimasu

I participate in the seminar every week.

I participate in the seminar every week.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎週 (maishuu) - Japanese adverb meaning "every week"
• ゼミ (zemi) - Japanese noun meaning "seminar"
• に (ni) - particle indicating a directing action or destination
• 参加しています (sanka shiteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to participate" and conjugated in the present continuous tense

私は毎日インターネットでニュースを閲覧します。

Watashi wa mainichi intaanetto de nyuusu o etsuran shimasu

I read news on the internet every day.

I surf the news on the internet every day.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• インターネット (intānetto) - word in Japanese that means "internet"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or location where something happens
• ニュース (nyūsu) - Japanese word meaning "news"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 閲覧します (etsuran shimasu) - japanese verb that means "to read" or "to see"

私は車の中で吐いてしまった。

Watashi wa kuruma no naka de haiteshimatta

I threw up in the car.

I threw up in the car.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 車 (kuruma) - Japanese noun that means "car"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that the car belongs to someone
• 中 (naka) - Japanese noun meaning "inside"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the place where the action took place
• 吐いてしまった (haite shimatta) - Japanese verb that means "vomited" (in the past and with a connotation of regret)

私は新しいレシピを試みることに決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii reshipi o kokoromiru koto ni kimemashita

I decided to try a new recipe.

I decided to try a new recipe.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• レシピ (reshipi) - Japanese noun that means "recipe".
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case "recipe"
• 試みる (kokoromiru) - Japanese verb that means "to try"
• ことに (koto ni) - expression that indicates the intention or decision to do something
• 決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb meaning "decide" in the past tense

私はその方面に詳しいです。

Watashi wa sono houmen ni kuwashii desu

I am an expert in this area.

I am familiar with this area.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
• 方面 (hōmen) - a Japanese noun that means "area," "field," or "domain"
• に (ni) - destination particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 詳しい (kuwashii) - Japanese adjective that means "detailed," "precise," or "well-informed."
• です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese that indicates existence or quality, in this case "is"

私は所有物に執着しない。

Watashi wa shoyūbutsu ni shūchaku shinai

I am not attached to my material goods.

I don't keep the property.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 所有物 (shoyuu-butsu) - Japanese noun meaning "property, belongings"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 執着 (shuuchaku) - Japanese noun meaning "attachment, fixation"
• しない (shinai) - negative form of the Japanese verb "suru" which means "to do", in this case "not do"

私は明日までにそのイベントに申し込むつもりです。

Watashi wa ashita made ni sono ibento ni moushikomu tsumori desu

I plan to register for this event by tomorrow.

I will register for the event by tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese noun meaning "tomorrow"
• までに (made ni) - expression indicating a deadline or time limit, in this case, "until"
• その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
• イベント (ibento) - Japanese noun meaning "event"
• に (ni) - particle indicating action or destination, in this case "to"
• 申し込む (moushikomu) - Japanese verb meaning "to sign up"
• つもりです (tsumori desu) - expression that indicates intention or plan, in this case, "pretendo"

私は指を捩りました。

Watashi wa yubi o nejirimashita

I crooked my finger.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 指 (yubi) - Japanese noun that means "finger"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 捩りました (nejirimashita) - Japanese verb that means "to twist".