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:

彼は罪を犯した。

Kare wa tsumi o okashita

He committed a crime.

He has sinned.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 罪 (tsumi) - Sin, crime
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 犯した (okashita) - Committed

彼は強引に彼女を部屋に押し込んだ。

Kare wa gouin ni kanojo o heya ni oshikomunda

He pushed her hard into the room.

He pushed her into the room.

• 彼 - He
• は - Topic particle
• 強引に - Forcibly, violently
• 彼女を - She (direct object)
• 部屋に - In the living room
• 押し込んだ - He pushed in

彼を説得するのは難しいです。

Kare wo settoku suru no wa muzukashii desu

It's hard to convince him.

It is hard to convince him.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 説得する - Japanese verb that means "to convince".
• のは - subjectivity particle in Japanese
• 難しい - Japanese adjective meaning "difficult"
• です - verb to be in Japanese

彼は才能を発揮した。

Kare wa sainou o hakki shita

He showed his talent.

He was talented.

• 彼 - pronoun that means "he"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 才能 - noun meaning "talent"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 発揮 - "Verb" means "exhibit" or "demonstrate"
• した - The past form of the verb "する" (to do) is "did."

平日は忙しいです。

Heijitsu wa isogashii desu

During the week

I'm busy during the week.

• 平日 (heijitsu) - working days/week
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 忙しい (isogashii) - busy
• です (desu) - verb ser/estar (polite form)

座標を入力してください。

Zahyou wo nyuuryoku shite kudasai

Please enter the coordinates.

Please enter the coordinates.

• 座標 (zah-yoh) - coordinates
• を (wo) - object particle
• 入力 (nyuu-ryoku) - entry, insertion
• して (shite) - form of the verb suru (to do)
• ください (kudasai) - please give me

建築は美しさと機能性の両方を備えた芸術です。

Kenchiku wa utsukushisa to kinōsei no ryōhō o sonaeta geijutsu desu

Architecture is an art that combines beauty and functionality.

Architecture is an art with beauty and functionality.

• 建築 - construction, building
• 美しさ - beauty
• と - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• 機能性 - functionality
• の - of
• 両方 - both, the two
• を - direct object
• 備えた - equipped, endowed
• 芸術 - art
• です - is

弁論大会に参加したいです。

Benron taikai ni sanka shitai desu

I want to participate in a public speaking contest.

I want to participate in the speech tournament.

• 弁論大会 - public speaking event
• に - particle indicating destination or location
• 参加 - participation
• したい - to want to do
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

弾力がある肌は美しいです。

Danryoku ga aru hada wa utsukushii desu

Skin with elasticity is beautiful.

The elastic skin is beautiful.

• 弾力がある - elastic, resilient
• 肌 - skin
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - is (polite form of the verb to be)

形勢が逆転した。

Keisei ga gyakuten shita

The situation has completely changed.

The situation reversed.

• 形勢 - It means "situation" or "condition".
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 逆転 - It means "inversion" or "turnaround".
• した - past form of the verb "suru" which means "to do".