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."
Quick Access
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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:
Taiyou ga mabushii desu
The sun is shining very strong.
The sun is stunning.
- 太陽 (Taiyō) - Sun
- が (ga) - Subject particle
- 眩しい (Mabushii) - brilliant, dazzling
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Fujin wa totemo utsukushii desu
The wife is very beautiful.
Mrs. It's very beautiful.
- 夫人 - means "wife" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
- とても - adverb in Japanese that means "very".
- 美しい - adjective in Japanese that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
- です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or characteristic of something.
Okusan wa totemo yasashii desu
The wife is very kind.
My wife is very kind.
- 奥さん (okusan) - wife
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - very
- 優しい (yasashii) - Kind, friendly
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Onna no hito wa totemo utsukushii desu
The women are very beautiful.
The woman is very beautiful.
- 女の人 - means "woman" in Japanese.
- は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "woman".
- とても - it's an adverb that means "very".
- 美しい - it's an adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
- です - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the formality of the sentence and can be translated as "is".
Onna no ko wa tsuyokute utsukushii desu
Women are strong and beautiful.
The girls are strong and beautiful.
- 女子 (joshi) - means "women" in Japanese
- は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "women"
- 強くて (tsuyokute) - adverb meaning "strong" or "powerful", used here as an adjective to describe women
- 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "pretty", used here to describe women
- です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
Josei wa tsuyokute utsukushii desu
Women are strong and beautiful.
Women are strong and beautiful.
- 女性 (josei) - means "woman" in Japanese
- は (wa) - grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "woman"
- 強くて (tsuyokute) - Adverb that means "strong" or "powerful", used here to describe the woman.
- 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "pretty" or "beautiful", used here to describe the woman
- です (desu) - linking verb indicating the existence or state of something, in this case, the strong and beautiful woman
Naninimo subarashii ichinichi desu ne
It really is a wonderful day
It's a wonderful day.
- 如何にも - adverb meaning "truly" or "really"
- 素晴らしい - adjective meaning "wonderful" or "splendid"
- 一日 - noun meaning "one day"
- です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality
- ね - final particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation
Iinkai de hanashi ai o shimashou
Let's discuss in the committee meeting.
Let's talk to the committee.
- 委員会 - committee
- で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
- 話し合い - Discussion, conversation
- を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
- しましょう - Polite and polished form of the verb "to do"
Yume wa kanau mono da to shinjite iru
I believe that dreams come true.
I believe that dreams come true.
- 夢 - Dream
- は - Topic particle
- 叶う - come true, become reality
- もの - thing, object
- だ - verb "to be" in the affirmative form
- と - Quote particle
- 信じている - believe, have faith
Ōzei no hito ga oshiyoseru
The crowd of people approaches mass.
Many people run.
- 大勢 - means "crowd" or "many people".
- の - Particle that indicates possession or relationship.
- 人 - means "people".
- が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 押し寄せる - verb meaning "to advance in large numbers" or "to approach en masse".
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