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:

私は台所で料理をします。

Watashi wa daidokoro de ryōri o shimasu

I cook in the kitchen.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 台所 (daidokoro) - noun that means "kitchen"
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 料理 (ryouri) - noun that means "to cook" or "cuisine"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• します (shimasu) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

私は入賞したいです。

Watashi wa nyūshō shitai desu

I want to win a prize.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 入賞 (nyuushou) - noun meaning "to win a prize" or "to be rewarded"
• したい (shitai) - form of the verb "querer" in the present tense, indicating the desire to win a prize
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in Japanese communication

私は彼女を推薦します。

Watashi wa kanojo o suisen shimasu

I recommend her.

I recommend it.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 推薦します (suisenshimasu) - verb meaning "recommend"

私は庭に花を蒔きました。

Watashi wa niwa ni hana o makimashita

I planted flowers in the garden.

I sown flowers in the garden.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 (niwa) - noun that means "garden"
• に (ni) - locative particle that indicates where the action occurred
• 花 (hana) - noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 蒔きました (makimashita) - verb that means "I planted"

私は新しいバッグを買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii baggu o kaitai desu

I want to buy a new bag.

I want to buy a new bag.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• バッグ (baggu) - noun that means "bag" or "suitcase"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the form of desire that means "want to buy"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the formality and courtesy of the sentence

私は図書館から本を借りました。

Watashi wa toshokan kara hon o karimashita

I borrowed a book from the library.

I borrowed a book from the library.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 図書館 (toshokan) - noun meaning "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - grammatical particle that indicates origin or starting point
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 借りました (karimashita) - "borrowed"

私はドアをノックしました。

Watashi wa doa wo nokku shimashita

I knocked on the door.

I knocked on the door.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ドア (doa) - noun meaning "door"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• ノック (nokku) - verb meaning "to knock" or "to touch" (on the door)
• しました (shimashita) - conjugation of the verb "suru" in the past tense, indicating that the action was completed

私は公園で落ちていたゴミを拾いました。

Watashi wa kōen de ochite ita gomi o hiroimashita

I picked up the litter that was on the ground in the park.

I picked up the trash that had fallen in the park.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• で (de) - a grammatical particle that indicates the place where the action took place, in this case, "in the park"
• 落ちていた (ochiteita) - verb in the past continuous that means "was fallen"
• ゴミ (gomi) - The noun that means "garbage" is "lixo".
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the trash"
• 拾いました (hiroi mashita) - The verb in the past that means "I took"

私はこのプロジェクトの担当者です。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto no tantōsha desu

I am responsible for this project.

I am the person in charge of this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - katakana word meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the project"
• 担当者 (tantousha) - noun that means "responsible" or "in charge"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates to be, in this case "I am" or "I am"

私はあなたにこのプレゼントを差し上げます。

Watashi wa anata ni kono purezento wo sashiageru

I will give you this gift.

I will give you this gift.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case "to you"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プレゼント (purezento) - noun meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "the present"
• 差し上げます (sashiagemasu) - verb meaning "to give", in the sense of offering something with respect or humility