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
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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
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."
Quick Access
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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:
Kekkan wa tainai no ketsueki o hakobu juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu
The blood vessels play an important role in transporting blood throughout the body.
Blood vessels play an important role in transporting blood in the body.
- 血管 (ketsukan) - blood vessel
- 体内 (tainai) - inside the body
- 血液 (ketsueki) - blood
- 運ぶ (hakobu) - transport
- 重要な (juuyou na) - important
- 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
- 果たしています (hatashite imasu) - performing
Uragaeshi ni natta fuku wo naoshite kudasai
Please fix the clothes that were turned inside out.
Please fix the inverted clothes.
- 裏返し - Inside out
- になった - became
- 服 - clothes
- を - direct object particle
- 直してください - please fix
Hadaka no mama de dekakeru no wa hazukashii desu
It is shameful to go naked.
It is embarrassing to go naked.
- 裸のままで出かける - going out without clothes
- のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 恥ずかしい - ashamed, embarrassed
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Seizōgyō wa Nihon no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu
The manufacturing industry plays an important role in the economy of Japan.
The manufacturing industry plays an important role in the Japanese economy.
- 製造業 - Manufacturing industry
- は - Topic particle
- 日本の - From Japan
- 経済にとって - For the economy
- 重要な - Important
- 役割を果たしています - Plays a role
Shibafu ga utsukushii desu
The grass is beautiful.
The lawn is beautiful.
- 芝生 (shibafu) - grass
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Hana wa utsukushii desu
The flowers are beautiful.
The flowers are beautiful.
- 花 - means "flower" in Japanese
- は - it is a grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence
- 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese
- です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese
Kadan ni wa utsukushii hana ga saite imasu
Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.
Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.
- 花壇 (かだん) - means "flower bed".
- に - particle indicating the location of the action, in this case, "in the flower bed".
- は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the flower bed".
- 美しい (うつくしい) - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
- 花 (はな) - noun meaning "flower".
- が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the flowers".
- 咲いています (さいています) - verb meaning "they are blooming".
Hanayome wa utsukushii desu
The bride is beautiful.
The bride is beautiful.
- 花嫁 (hanayome) - bride
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Me ga mebuku haru no fuukei wa utsukushii desu
The spring landscape where the buds start to bloom is beautiful.
The spring scenery where the buds bloom is beautiful.
- 芽が芽吹く - shoots start to grow
- 春の - spring
- 風景は - landscape
- 美しいです - is beautiful
Mushita yasai wa totemo oishii desu
Steamed vegetables are very tasty.
Steamed vegetables are very delicious.
- 蒸した - Verb 蒸す (mussu) in the past, which means "steamed".
- 野菜 - Noun that means "vegetables"
- は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- とても - Adverb that means "very"
- 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
- です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
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