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."
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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:
Kobugara na josei wa totemo kawairashii desu
Small women are very cute.
Small women are very cute.
- 小柄な - means "small" or "short"
- 女性 - means "woman"
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the short woman"
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 可愛らしい - adjective meaning "cute" or "adorable"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
Yama wa utsukushii desu
The mountain is beautiful.
The mountain is beautiful.
- 山 (yama) - Mountain
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Sangaku wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
- 山岳 - mountains
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 自然 - nature
- の - Possession particle
- 景色 - landscape
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Misaki kara miru yuuhi wa utsukushii desu
The sunset seen from the cape is beautiful.
The sunset seen from the cape is beautiful.
- 岬 (misaki) - Peninsula
- から (kara) - from, starting at
- 見る (miru) - To see
- 夕日 (yuuhi) - Sunset
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Kōgyō wa Nihon no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Industry plays an important role in the economy of Japan.
Industry plays an important role in the Japanese economy.
- 工業 (kougyou) - industry
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 日本 (nihon) - Japan
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 経済 (keizai) - economy
- にとって (nitotte) - for
- 重要な (juuyouna) - important
- 役割 (yakuwari) - paper
- を果たしています (wo hatashiteimasu) - performs
Jitsurei wo mite kara handan shite kudasai
Please make a judgment after seeing a real example.
Please judge after looking at the examples.
- 実例 - Example
- を - direct object particle
- 見て - ver (-te form of the verb)
- から - time particle, indicates that the action takes place after something
- 判断して - judge, decide (-te form of the verb)
- ください - please make a request
Jitsugyōka wa bijinesu no sekai de seikō suru tame ni hitsuyō na sukiru o motte imasu
An entrepreneur possesses the necessary skills to succeed in the business world.
Entrepreneurs have the necessary skills to succeed in the business world.
- 実業家 - entrepreneur
- は - Topic particle
- ビジネス - business
- の - Possession particle
- 世界 - world
- で - Location particle
- 成功する - succeed
- ために - for
- 必要な - necessary
- スキル - skills
- を - direct object particle
- 持っています - to possess
Enkai ni wa oishii ryouri to tanoshii kaiwa ga kakasenai
At a banquet
Delicious food and fun conversation are must-haves for banquets.
- 宴会 (えんかい) - banquet/party
- には - particle that indicates the target or objective of the action
- 美味しい (おいしい) - delicious
- 料理 (りょうり) - culinary/food
- と - particle indicating the connection between two things
- 楽しい (たのしい) - fun
- 会話 (かいわ) - conversation
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 欠かせない (かかせない) - essential/necessary
Kagu wo atarashiku kai kaetai desu
I want to exchange my furniture for new ones.
I want to buy new furniture.
- 家具 (kagu) - furniture
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 新しく (atarashiku) - new
- 買い換えたい (kaikae tai) - want to exchange/buy
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
O trem
bed offers comfortable travel
Sleeping trains offer a comfortable ride.
- 寝台列車 - sleeper train
- は - Topic particle
- 快適な - comfortable
- 旅 - trip
- を - direct object particle
- 提供します - to supply
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