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:

私は彼に片思いしています。

Watashi wa kare ni kataomoi shiteimasu

I have a passion not corresponded by him.

I have a drop for him.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼 (kare) - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
• 片思い (kataomoi) - Noun meaning "unrequited love"
• しています (shiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "do" indicating ongoing action

私は昇進を目指して頑張ります。

Watashi wa shōshin o mezashite ganbarimasu

I will strive to get promoted.

I will do my best to promote.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 昇進 (shoushin) - Japanese noun meaning "promotion"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 目指して (mezashite) - Japanese verb meaning "to aim" or "to aim for"
• 頑張ります (ganbarimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to do one's best" or "to strive"

着席してください。

Chakuseki shite kudasai

Please sit down.

Please sit down.

• 着席 - It means "to sit" in Japanese.
• して - is a form of the verb "to do" in Japanese.
• ください - is a polite way of asking for something in Japanese, equivalent to "please" in Portuguese.

着陸に成功しました。

Chakuriku ni seikou shimashita

We landed successfully.

I managed to land.

• 着陸 (chakuriku) - landing
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 成功 (seikou) - success
• しました (shimashita) - polite and past form of the verb "suru" (to do)

矢印をフォローしてください。

Yajirushi wo forō shite kudasai

Please follow the arrow.

Follow the arrow.

• 矢印 (yajirushi) - arrow
• を (wo) - object particle
• フォロー (foroo) - follow
• してください (shite kudasai) - Please, make.

砂糖をお湯に溶かしてください。

Satou wo oyuni tokashite kudasai

Please dissolve sugar in hot water.

Melt the sugar in hot water.

• 砂糖 (sato) - sugar
• を (wo) - object particle
• お湯 (oyu) - hot water
• に (ni) - target particle
• 溶かして (tokashite) - dissolve
• ください (kudasai) - Please

磁気は地球の磁場を感じることができます。

Jiki wa chikyū no jiba o kanjiru koto ga dekimasu

The magnetic can feel the Earth's magnetic field.

The magnetic can feel the Earth's magnetic field.

• 磁気 (jiki) - magnetism
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 地球 (chikyuu) - Earth
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 磁場 (jiba) - magnetic field
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 感じる (kanjiru) - feel
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - Be able to

社会は常に変化しています。

Shakai wa tsuneni henka shiteimasu

Society is always in constant change.

Society is constantly changing.

• 社会 (shakai) - society
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 常に (tsuneni) - always
• 変化しています (henka shiteimasu) - it's changing

登山道は険しいです。

Tōzandō wa kewashīdesu

The mountain trail is steep.

The mountain trail is steep.

• 登山道 (tōzandō) - mountain trail
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

盛大な祭りが開催されました。

Seidai na matsuri ga kaisai sa remashita

A great festival was held.

A great festival was held.

• 盛大な - magnificent
• 祭り - festival
• が - subject particle
• 開催 - realization
• されました - was carried out