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:

この山頂からの見晴らしは素晴らしいです。

Kono sanchou kara no miharashi wa subarashii desu

The view from this mountain top is wonderful.

The view from this dome is wonderful.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 山頂 - "sancho", top of the mountain
• から - kara, from
• の - particle of possession, in this case, "of"
• 見晴らし - "miharashi", panoramic view
• は - topic particle, in this case "about"
• 素晴らしい - "subarashii", wonderful
• です - polite way of "being"

この本は私の研究にとても参考になりました。

Kono hon wa watashi no kenkyū ni totemo sankō ni narimashita

This book was very useful as a reference for my research.

This book was very useful in my research.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 本 - It means "book".
• は - topic particle, indicates that the book is the subject of the sentence
• 私 - means "I"
• の - possessive particle, indicates that the book is "mine"
• 研究 - It means "research".
• に - particle that indicates purpose, in this case, "for"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 参考 - It means "reference"
• に - again the particle that indicates the purpose, in this case, "para"
• なりました - verb that indicates that the book "became" a very useful reference for research.

この棒を曲げるのは難しいです。

Kono bou wo mageru no wa muzukashii desu

Folding this stick is difficult.

It's hard to double this baton.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 棒 - means "stick"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 曲げる - verb meaning "to bend"
• の - particle that transforms the verb into a noun, in this case, "fold"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• 難しい - adjective meaning "difficult"
• です - verb that indicates the polite and polished way of speaking, in this case, "é"

この花瓶は美しいですね。

Kono kabin wa utsukushii desu ne

this vase is beautiful

This vase is beautiful.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 花瓶 - means "flower vase"
• は - topic particle, indicates that what comes after is the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - ending particle indicating confirmation or a search for agreement

この会議で決議を採択しました。

Kono kaigi de ketsugi o saitaku shimashita

The resolution was adopted at this meeting.

The resolution was adopted at this meeting.

• この - this
• 会議 - meeting
• で - in
• 決議 - resolution
• を - object of the action
• 採択 - adoption
• しました - foi feita

この地域は密集した人口密度を持っています。

Kono chiiki wa misshū shita jinkō mitsudo o motte imasu

This area has a dense population density.

This area has a dense population density.

• この - this
• 地域 - region
• は - is
• 密集した - densely populated
• 人口密度 - population density
• を - of
• 持っています - have

このネジを外すのは難しいです。

Kono neji o hazusu no wa muzukashii desu

It is difficult to remove this screw.

It's hard to remove this screw.

• この - this
• ネジ - screw
• を - object particle
• 外す - remove
• のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 難しい - difficult
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この形容動詞はとても美しいです。

Kono keiyō dōshi wa totemo utsukushii desu

This adjective is very beautiful.

This adjective verb is very beautiful.

• この - this
• 形容動詞 - descriptive adjective
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - is (polite way of putting it)

ガスコンロで料理をするのは楽しいです。

Gasukonro de ryōri wo suru no wa tanoshii desu

Cooking on a gas stove is fun.

Cooking with a gas stove is fun.

• ガスコンロ - gasukonro - gas stove
• で - from - in, using
• 料理 - cooking - cooking, kitchen
• を - wo - object particle
• する - suru - to do make
• のは - no wa - particle that indicates topic
• 楽しい - Fun - Fun, pleasurable
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) Verb to be/estar in the present

きっぱりと断言します。

Kippari to dangen shimasu

I say categorically.

I affirm.

• きっぱりと - adverb meaning "clearly" or "decisively"
• 断言します - verb meaning "to assert" or "to declare"