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:

私は失恋した。

Watashi wa shitsuren shita

I experienced a heartbreak.

I was broke.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 失恋 (shitsuren) - noun that means "heartbreak"
• した (shita) - verb in the past that means "suffered"

私は深く自然の美しさを悟りました。

Watashi wa fukaku shizen no utsukushisa o satorimashita

I deeply understood the beauty of nature.

I realized the beauty of nature.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 深く (fukaku) - adverb meaning "deeply"
• 自然 (shizen) - Noun that means "nature"
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 美しさ (utsukushisa) - noun meaning "beauty"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 悟りました (satorimashita) - verb meaning "I realized" or "I understood" (in the past tense)

私の姉はとても優しいです。

Watashi no ane wa totemo yasashii desu

My older sister is very kind.

My sister is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "my"
• 姉 (ane) - means "older sister" in Japanese
• は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "my sister"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject, in this case "is"

私は不幸な出来事に遭いました。

Watashi wa fukou na dekigoto ni auimashita

I encountered an unfortunate situation.

I have an unfortunate event.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates the theme of the sentence
• 不幸な (fukou na) - unfortunate
• 出来事 (dekigoto) - noun that means "event" or "occurrence"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or destination
• 遭いました (awai mashita) - The verb that means "to find" or "to go through," conjugated in the polite past tense is "見つけました" (mitsukemashita) or "通りました" (toorimashita) depending on the specific meaning.

私は本を机に置きました。

Watashi wa hon o tsukue ni okimashita

I put the book on the table.

I put the book on my table.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 本 (hon) - means "book" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 机 (tsukue) - means "table" in Japanese
• に (ni) - location particle in Japanese, used to indicate the place where something happened
• 置きました (okimashita) - Past form of the verb "okiru", meaning "to put" in Japanese.

私は彼女の愛を感じます。

Watashi wa kanojo no ai wo kanjimasu

I feel her love.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• の (no) - possessive particle in Japanese, used to indicate that "love" belongs to "her"
• 愛 (ai) - It means "love" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate that "love" is the direct object of the sentence
• 感じます (kanjimasu) - The verb in Japanese that means "to feel" is "感じる" (kanjiru).

私は彼女に愛を授けました。

Watashi wa kanojo ni ai o sazukemashita

I gave her love.

I gave her love.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• に (ni) - target particle in Japanese, used to indicate the recipient of the action
• 愛 (ai) - It means "love" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the action
• 授けました (sazukemashita) - verb meaning "to give" or "to grant" in Japanese, in the past tense and polite

私は毎日通学しています。

Watashi wa mainichi tsuugaku shiteimasu

I go to school every day.

I go to school every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 通学 (tsuugaku) - "学校に行く" em japonês.
• しています (shiteimasu) - The polite form of the verb "to do" in Japanese, indicating an ongoing action, is "しています" (shiteimasu).

私は毎日通勤しています。

Watashi wa mainichi tsūkin shiteimasu

I will work every day.

I travel every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 通勤 (tsūkin) - means "go to work" in Japanese
• しています (shiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "to do" in Japanese, indicating a continuous action in the present tense

私は彼女に会うときはいつもどきどきしています。

Watashi wa kanojo ni au toki wa itsumo dokidoki shiteimasu

I always get anxious when I find her.

I always throb when I know it.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 彼女 (kanojo) - It means "she" or "girlfriend" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 会う (au) - verb that means "to find" or "to meet" in Japanese.
• とき (toki) - noun that means "time" or "moment" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• いつも (itsumo) - adverb that means "always" in Japanese
• どきどき (dokidoki) - onomatopoeia that represents the sound of a heart beating fast, used to express nervousness or anxiety in Japanese
• しています (shiteimasu) - present form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese