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:

版画は美しい芸術形式です。

Hanga wa utsukushii geijutsu keishiki desu

Engraving is a beautiful art form.

Printing is a beautiful art form.

版画 - engraving
は - Topic particle
美しい - Beautiful, lovely
芸術 - art
形式 - shape, format
です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

温室で育てた野菜は美味しいです。

Onshitsu de sodateta yasai wa oishii desu

Greenhouse-grown vegetables are delicious.

The vegetables grown in the greenhouse are delicious.

温室 - greenhouse
で - in
育てた - cultivated
野菜 - vegetables
は - is
美味しい - delicious
です - it is

温泉に入ると心も体もリフレッシュできる。

Onsen ni hairu to kokoro mo karada mo rifuresshu dekiru

Taking a bath in a hot spring can refresh your mind and body.

When you enter the hot spring, you can refresh your mind and body.

温泉 - hot springs
に - particle indicating location
入る - login
と - particle that indicates a cause-and-effect relationship
心 - heart, mind
も - particle that indicates inclusion
体 - body
も - particle that indicates inclusion
リフレッシュ - refresh, renew
できる - Be able to

測定結果を確認してください。

Sokutei kekka wo kakunin shite kudasai

Please check the measurement results.

Check the measurement results.

測定結果 - measurement result
を - object particle
確認 - confirmation
してください - Please, make.

源泉は清らかで美しいです。

Gensen wa kiyora ka de utsukushii desu

The fountain is pure and beautiful.

源泉 (Gensen) - Thermal spring
は (wa) - Topic particle
清らか (kiyora ka) - pure, clean
で (de) - connecting particle
美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
です (desu) - polite way of being

漠然とした不安がある。

Bakuzen to shita fuan ga aru

There is a vague feeling of anxiety.

I have a vague anxiety.

漠然とした - vague, imprecise
不安 - Anxiety, restlessness
が - connecting particle
ある - exist, have

漢語は日本語に多くの影響を与えました。

Kango wa nihongo ni ooku no eikyou wo ataemashita

Chinese words have had a great influence on Japanese.

The Chinese had a lot of influence on the Japanese.

漢語 (kan go) - Japanese word that means "Chinese words".
は (wa) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
日本語 (ni hon go) - Japanese word that means "Japanese language".
に (ni) - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the relationship of direction or destination.
多くの (ooku no) - Expression in Japanese that means "many" or "much".
影響を与えました (eikyou wo ataemashita) - Japanese phrase meaning "had a lot of influence".