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:

スチュワーデスは飛行機の安全を守るために重要な役割を果たしています。

Sutyuwaadesu wa hikouki no anzen wo mamoru tame ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Stewardesses play an important role in the safety of planes.

The air hostess plays an important role to protect the safety of planes.

• スチュワーデス - Japanese word meaning "flight attendant".
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "flight attendant".
• 飛行機 - Japanese word meaning "plane".
• の - possession particle that indicates that the object of the sentence is "plane safety".
• 安全 - Japanese word meaning "security".
• を - object particle indicating that "security" is the direct object of the action.
• 守る - Japanese verb meaning "protect" or "maintain".
• ために - Japanese expression meaning "for" or "in order to".
• 重要な - adjective in Japanese meaning "important".
• 役割 - Japanese word meaning "role" or "function".
• を - object particle indicating that "paper" is the direct object of the action.
• 果たしています - verb in Japanese meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill".

スペースを確保してください。

Supēsu o kakutoku shite kudasai

Please reserve space.

Please protect the space.

• スペース (supēsu) - space
• を (wo) - object particle
• 確保 (kakuhō) - guarantee, ensure, reserve
• して (shite) - continuous form of the verb suru (to do)
• ください (kudasai) - please give me

その花の色は鮮やかで美しいです。

sono hana no iro wa azayaka de utsukushii desu

The color of that flower is vibrant and beautiful.

The color of the flower is bright and beautiful.

• その - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 花 - noun meaning "flower"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 色 - noun that means "color"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 鮮やか - adjective that means "vibrant" or "intense"
• で - particle that indicates the means or way in which something is done
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb indicating the polite or formal form of the present tense

タイマーをセットしてください。

Taimā o setto shite kudasai

Please set the timer.

Please set the timer.

• タイマー (taimā) - timer
• を (wo) - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• セットして (setto shite) - verb "set" conjugated in the imperative
• ください (kudasai) - verb "give" conjugated in the imperative, indicating a polite request

ダイヤルを回してください。

Daiyaru wo mawashite kudasai

Spin the dial on the phone, please.

Rotate the dial.

• ダイヤル (daiyaru) - means "dial" in Japanese, referring to the disk on an old telephone used to make calls.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, indicating that "daiyaru" is the object of the action.
• 回して (mawashite) - verb form of the verb "mawasu", which means "to turn" in Japanese.
• ください (kudasai) - polite form of the verb "kureru", which means "to give" in Japanese. In this context, it's used as a polite way of asking someone to turn the dial.

ダウンジャケットを着て寒さから身を守りましょう。

Daun jaketto wo kite samusa kara mi wo mamorimashou

Let's wear a jacket to protect ourselves from the cold.

Wear a jacket and protect yourself from the cold.

• ダウンジャケット - Down jacket
• を - Direct object particle
• 着て - Verb "to dress" in the gerund
• 寒さ - Cold
• から - origin particle
• 身を守りましょう - Protect yourself

この商品の販売は終了しました。

Kono shouhin no hanbai wa shuuryou shimashita

The sale of this product was closed.

The sale of this product is over.

• この商品の販売 - Sale of this product
• は - Topic particle
• 終了 - End, finish
• しました - The past form of the verb "する" (to do) is "did."

サンダルを履いて海辺を散歩しました。

Sandaru wo haite umibe wo sanpo shimashita

I took a stroll along the seafront wearing sandals.

I took a stroll along the seafront wearing sandals.

• サンダル (sandaru) - sandal
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 履いて (haite) - wearing, wearing
• 海辺 (umibe) - sea ​​shore
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 散歩 (sanpo) - walk
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"

シートを敷いてください。

Shiito wo shiite kudasai

Please put the sheet.

Please put the sheet.

• シート (shīto) - plastic or fabric sheet to protect or cover something
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 敷いて (shīte) - "put" or "lay" in the imperative
• ください (kudasai) - polite expression of request or solicitation

このプロジェクトの成功の基準は何ですか？

Kono purojekuto no seikō no kijun wa nan desu ka?

What is the success criterion of this project?

What are the successful criteria for this project?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this"
• プロジェクト - noun meaning "project"
• の - possessive particle that indicates ownership or belonging
• 成功 - noun meaning "success"
• の - possessive particle that indicates ownership or belonging
• 基準 - noun meaning "criterion" or "standard"
• は - topic particle indicating the main subject of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - auxiliary verb indicating a polite or polished way of speaking
• か - interrogative particle indicating a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question