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

Related words

ブラシ

burashi

brush; brush

ビジネス

bizinesu

business

バッジ

bazi

distinctive

パジャマ

pazyama

Pajamas; pajamas

トランジスター

toranzisuta-

transistor

ティッシュペーパー

thisyupe-pa-

tissue

デコレーション

dekore-syon

decoration

デモンストレーション

demonsutore-syon

demonstration

チェンジ

tyenzi

change

タクシー

takushi-

Taxi

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."

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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:

私は古い着物を繕いました。

Watashi wa furui kimono wo tsukuroimashita

I fixed an old kimono.

I noticed the old kimono.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
古い (furui) - adjective meaning "old"
着物 (kimono) - noun meaning "kimono", a traditional Japanese garment
を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
繕いました (tsukuraimashita) - verb that means "I fixed" or "I repaired"

私は新しい職に就く予定です。

Watashi wa atarashii shoku ni tsuku yotei desu

I have plans to take on a new job.

I intend to get a new job.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
職 (shoku) - noun that means "work"
に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
就く (tsuku) - verb that means "to assume" or "to occupy"
予定 (yotei) - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and the present tense of the sentence

私は雑誌の購読をしています。

Watashi wa zasshi no kōdoku o shiteimasu

I am a magazine subscriber.

I subscribe to magazines.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
雑誌 (zasshi) - noun meaning "magazine"
の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two nouns, in this case, "from the magazine"
購読 (koudoku) - noun meaning "signature" or "subscription"
を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "signature"
しています (shiteimasu) - verb that indicates continuous action in the present, in this case, "I'm signing"

私は彼女の健康を案じています。

Watashi wa kanojo no kenkō o anjite imasu

I'm worried about her health.

I'm thinking about your health.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
健康 (kenkou) - noun that means "health"
を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
案じています (anzjiteimasu) - verb that means "to be worried" and is conjugated in the educated present continuous

私は専ら日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa mattaku nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

I am studying Japanese exclusively.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
専ら (senra) - adverb meaning "exclusively"
日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" (language)
を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "I am studying"

私は嚏をしてしまいました。

Watashi wa kushami o shite shimaimashita

I ended up splashing.

I made it.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
嚏 (kushami) - noun meaning "sneeze"
を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
してしまいました (shite shimaimashita) - compound verb indicating a completed action, in this case, "I ended up sneezing"

私は日本で生まれました。

Watashi wa Nihon de umaremashita

I was born in Japan.