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:

気兼ねなく話してください。

Kigenenaku hanashite kudasai

Please speak without hesitation.

Please speak without hesitation.

• 気兼ね - means "hesitation" or "reservation" in Japanese.
• なく - is a negative particle that means "not to have" or "without".
• 話して - is the verb "speak" in the imperative, which means "speak".
• ください - is a polite form of the verb "give", which is used to make a request or request.

気風が良い町は暮らしやすいです。

Kifū ga yoi machi wa kurashi yasui desu

A city with a good atmosphere is easy to live in.

A city with good air is easy to live in.

• 気風 - atmosphere, climate
• が - subject particle
• 良い - good, pleasant
• 町 - city, town
• は - Topic particle
• 暮らし - life, way of life
• やすい - easy, convenient
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

永遠に愛してる

Eien ni aishiteru

I will love you forever

Eternal Love

• 永遠に - forever
• 愛してる - I love you

沿岸には美しい景色が広がっています。

Enkou ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga hirogatte imasu

Along the coast

The beautiful landscape is spreading along the coast.

• 沿岸 (engan) - Coast, shoreline
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• 景色 (keishiki) - landscape, view
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 広がっています (hirogatteimasu) - extends, spreads

正式にお知らせいたします。

Shōshiki ni oshirase itashimasu

Let's inform you officially.

Let's inform you officially.

• 正式に - formally
• お知らせ - warning, notification
• いたします - expression of courtesy to indicate that something will be done

正方形は四辺が等しい四角形です。

Seikaku wa shihen ga hitoshii shikakkei desu

A square is a quadrilateral with four equal sides.

The square is a square with four equal sides.

• 正方形 - It means "square" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 四辺 - It means "four sides" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 等しい - It means "equal" in Japanese.
• 四角形 - means "quadrilateral" in Japanese.
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in the polite form.

正確な情報を提供してください。

Seikaku na jōhō o teikyō shite kudasai

Please provide accurate information.

Provide accurate information.

• 正確な - adjective meaning "precise, exact"
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 提供 - verb meaning "to provide, offer"
• して - verb form that indicates action in progress
• ください - verb meaning "please, favor of"

武装した警察官が街をパトロールしている。

Busou shita keisatsukan ga machi wo patorooru shite iru

Armed police officers patrol the streets.

Armed police officers are patrolling the city.

• 武装した - armored
• 警察官 - police officer
• が - subject particle
• 街 - city
• を - direct object particle
• パトロール - patrol
• している - Is doing

死ぬことは恐ろしいことではありません。生きることが恐ろしいことです。

Shinu koto wa osoroshii koto de wa arimasen. Ikiru koto ga osoroshii koto desu

Death is not a scary thing. Living is the scary thing.

Dying is not terrible. It's scary to live.

• 死ぬことは恐ろしいことではありません。- "Dying is not a scary thing."
• 生きることが恐ろしいことです。- "To live is the scary thing."

毛糸で手袋を編みました。

Keito de tebukuro wo amimashita

I knit mittens from wool yarn.

I knit mittens from wool.

• 毛糸 - Wool thread
• で - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 手袋 - gloves
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 編みました - verb "háeru", meaning "to knit", in the affirmative past tense