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:

ポストに手紙を投函しました。

Posto ni tegami wo toukan shimashita

I put a letter in the mailbox.

I posted a letter to the post.

• ポスト (posuto) - mail box
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 手紙 (tegami) - letter
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object
• 投函 (toukan) - put in the mailbox
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"

ポスターを貼りましょう。

Posutā o harimashou

Let's paste the poster.

Let's put a poster.

• ポスター (posutā) - poster
• を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto do verbo
• 貼りましょう (harimashou) - vamos colar

マイナスの数値は減少しています。

Mainasu no suuchi wa genshō shiteimasu

Negative numbers are decreasing.

• マイナス - Japanese word meaning "negative"
• の - particle in Japanese that indicates possession or relationship
• 数値 - Japanese word meaning "numerical value"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 減少 - Japanese word meaning "decrease"
• しています - Japanese verb that indicates an action in progress in the present tense

マッサージはリラックスするのに役立ちます。

Massāji wa rirakkusu suru no ni yakudachimasu

Massage can help you relax.

• マッサージ - Massage
• は - Topic particle
• リラックス - to relax
• する - Verb "to do"
• のに - Conjunction indicating purpose
• 役立ちます - Being useful, being beneficial

ミシンで縫い物をするのが好きです。

Mishin de nui mono wo suru no ga suki desu

I like sewing with a sewing machine.

I like to sew with a sewing machine.

• ミシン (mishin) - Sewing machine
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or tool used to carry out the action
• 縫い物 (naimono) - sewing, sewing
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• する (suru) - to do, to accomplish
• のが (noga) - a particle that indicates that the previous sentence is a reason or explanation for the next
• 好き (suki) - like, love
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

めっきり寒くなりました。

Mekkiri samuku narimashita

It got much colder.

It got cold and cold.

• めっきり - adverb that means "notably" or "considerably"
• 寒く - "Chilly" is the adjective in the form of an adverb that means "cold."
• なりました - verb in the past form meaning "became"

メモを取りましょう。

Memoo o torimashou

Let's make a note.

Let's take notes.

• メモ - "メモ" em japonês
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 取り - "pegar" in Japanese is 取る (toru).
• ましょう - Politeness form of the verb "to do" in Japanese

メディアは情報を伝える重要な役割を果たしています。

Mēdia wa jōhō o tsutaeru jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

The media plays an important role in communicating information.

• メディア (Media) - media
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 情報 (jouhou) - information
• を (wo) - object particle
• 伝える (tsutaeru) - transmit
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• を (wo) - object particle
• 果たしています (hatashiteimasu) - perform, fulfill

もっと勉強しなければならない。

Motto benkyou shinakereba naranai

I need to study more.

I have to study more.

• もっと - adverb that means "more"
• 勉強 - noun meaning "study"
• しなければ - negative form of the verb "する" (to do) in the conditional
• ならない - suffix that indicates obligation or necessity

モデルは美しさと自信を与えてくれる。

Moderu wa utsukushisa to jishin o ataete kureru

Models bring beauty and confidence.

The model offers beauty and confidence.

• モデル - model
• は - Topic particle
• 美しさ - beauty
• と - connecting particle
• 自信 - Confidence
• を - direct object particle
• 与えてくれる - give (to me)