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:

お昼ごはんを食べましょう。

Ohiru gohan wo tabemashou

Let's eat lunch.

Let's have lunch.

• お昼ごはん - lunch
• を - direct object particle
• 食べましょう - Let's eat

お祖母さんはとても優しい人です。

Obaasan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandmother is a very kind person.

• お祖母さん - grandmother
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - kind
• 人 - person
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

お申し承りました。

Omoshiroi shirabe wo moushiagemasu

We have received your request.

I accepted.

• お申し承りました - There is no text in Portuguese to translate.

お祖父さんはとても優しい人です。

Ojiisan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandfather is a very kind person.

• お祖父さん - Grandmother
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - kind
• 人 - person
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

お蔭様で無事に試験に合格しました。

O kage sama de mujitsu ni shiken ni goukaku shimashita

Thank God

Thanks to you, I passed the exam with confidence.

• お蔭様で - "Thank God"
• 無事に - "no problem"
• 試験に - "on the exam"
• 合格しました - "passed"

カードを使って支払いをしました。

Kādo o tsukatte shiharai o shimashita

I made the payment using a card.

I paid using the card.

• カード - "card" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• 使って - gerund form of the verb "to use"
• 支払い - "Payment" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• しました - past form of the verb "fazer"

がっちりした握力を持っています。

gacchiri shita akuryoku wo motteimasu

I have a firm footprint.

It has a solid grip.

• がっちりした - adjective that means "firm", "solid", "forte".
• 握力 - Noun that means "gripping force", "grasping force".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - Verb that means "to have", "to possess".

がっくりと肩を落とした。

Gakkuri to kata wo otoshita

I dropped my shoulder.

• がっくりと - adverb that indicates a sudden and abrupt movement of falling or discouragement
• 肩を落とした - verb that means "to lower the shoulders," indicating sadness or discouragement

カットした髪型が素敵ですね。

Katto shita kamigata ga suteki desu ne

The cut hairstyle is wonderful.

• カットした - cut
• 髪型 - hairstyle/haircut
• が - subject particle
• 素敵 - beautiful/charming
• です - Verb to be
• ね - confirmation/affirmation particle

カメラで写真を撮りました。

Kamera de shashin o torimashita

I took a picture with the camera.

I took a picture with the camera.

• カメラ (kamera) - câmera
• で (de) - with
• 写真 (shashin) - Photograph
• を (wo) - direct object
• 撮りました (torimashita) - took (past)