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:

私はじっと待っています。

Watashi wa jitto matteimasu

I'm patiently waiting.

I'm waiting for this.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• じっと (jitto) - adverb meaning "firmly" or "fixedly"
• 待っています (matteimasu) - verb meaning "to wait" in the present continuous tense

私はこの冊子を読み終えました。

Watashi wa kono satsusho o yomi oeta

I finished reading this book.

I finished reading this booklet.

• 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 pronoun that means "this"
• 冊子 (sakushi) - noun meaning "book" or "brochure"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "book"
• 読み終えました (yomioemashita) - verb meaning "I finished reading"

私はこのプロジェクトの受け持ちをしています。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto no ukemochi o shiteimasu

I am responsible for this project.

I am 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 pronoun that means "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the project"
• 受け持ち (ukemochi) - noun meaning "responsibility"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "responsibility"
• しています (shiteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm taking over"

私は手紙を差し出す。

Watashi wa tegami wo sashidasu

I deliver the letter.

I give a letter.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 手紙 (tegami) - noun meaning "letter"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "letter"
• 差し出す (sashidasu) - verb meaning "to deliver"

私は自宅で勉強します。

Watashi wa jitaku de benkyō shimasu

I study at home.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 自宅 (jitaku) - noun that means "house" or "residence"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the location where the action occurs, in this case "at home"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun that means "study" or "learning"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do" or "to carry out", in this case "I do/carry out studies"

私は美しいネックレスを持っています。

Watashi wa utsukushii nekkuresu o motte imasu

I have a beautiful necklace.

I have a beautiful necklace.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• ネックレス (nekkuresu) - noun meaning "glue"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "colar"
• 持っています (motteimasu) - verb meaning "to have", conjugated in the present affirmative

私はジーンズが好きです。

Watashi wa jiinzu ga suki desu

I like jeans.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• ジーンズ (jiinzu) - Word in Japanese that means "jeans"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "jeans"
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the polite form of the present, in this case, "I like"

私はあなたの立場を理解します。

Watashi wa anata no tachiba o rikai shimasu

I understand your position.

• 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"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "your"
• 立場 (tachiba) - noun meaning "position" or "situation"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "position"
• 理解します (rikai shimasu) - verb meaning "to understand" or "to comprehend"

私は靴をしっかりと締めました。

Watashi wa kutsu wo shikkari to shimerimashita

I squeezed my shoes firmly.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 靴 (kutsu) - noun meaning "shoe"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "shoe"
• しっかりと (shikkari to) - Adverb that means "firmly" or "strongly"
• 締めました (shimemashita) - verb meaning "to tighten" or "to bind", in the past tense and polite

私はショップで新しい衣服を買いました。

Watashi wa shoppu de atarashii ifuku o kaimashita

I bought new clothes in the store.

I bought new clothes in the store.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• ショップ (shoppu) - Japanese word meaning "store"
• で (de) - Subtitle indicating the location where the action took place, in this case, "na loja"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• 衣服 (ifuku) - Japanese word meaning "clothes"
• を (wo) - Direct object marker indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "clothing"
• 買いました (kaimashita) - verb that means "I bought"