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:

ヤングは若い人たちを表します。

Yangu wa wakai hitotachi wo hyō shimasu

Young represents young people.

• ヤング - Japanese word meaning "young"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 若い - Japanese adjective meaning "young"
• 人たち - suffix in Japanese that indicates plurality, meaning "people"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 表します - Japanese verb meaning "represents"

ややこしい問題を解決するのは難しいです。

Yayakoshii mondai wo kaiketsu suru no wa muzukashii desu

Solving complicated problems is difficult.

It is difficult to solve complicated problems.

• ややこしい - complicated, confusing
• 問題 - problem
• を - direct object particle
• 解決する - to resolve
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - difficult
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

ユーモアは人生を楽しくする力です。

Yūmō wa jinsei o tanoshiku suru chikara desu

Humor is the power to make life fun.

• ユーモア - 言葉は「ユーモア」です。
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• 人生 - A palavra em japonês que significa "vida" é "生命" (seimei).
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 楽しくする - 動かす (ugokasu)
• 力 - A palavra em japonês que significa "força" ou "poder" é 力 (chikara).
• です - verb in Japanese that indicates the polite form of the present

ラジオを聴くのが好きです。

Rajio wo kiku no ga suki desu

I like listening to the radio.

I like to listen to the radio.

• ラジオ - radio
• を - direct object particle
• 聴く - to hear
• の - Noun particle
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - verb ser/estar (polite form)

レインコートを着て外出しましょう。

Reinkōto o kite gaishutsu shimashou

Let's go out with a raincoat.

• レインコート - Japanese word meaning "raincoat"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 着て - Japanese verb meaning "to wear"
• 外出 - Japanese noun meaning "exit, walk"
• しましょう - verb in Japanese that indicates a suggestion or invitation to do something together, in this case "let's go out together wearing a raincoat"

レクリエーションは健康的な生活に必要です。

Rekurieeshon wa kenkouteki na seikatsu ni hitsuyou desu

Recreation is necessary for a healthy life.

Recreation is necessary for a healthy life.

• レクリエーション - Recreation
• は - Topic particle
• 健康的な - Healthy
• 生活 - Life
• に - Destination particle
• 必要 - Necessary
• です - Verb to be

レッスンを受けるのは楽しいです。

Ressun wo ukeru no wa tanoshii desu

Taking classes is fun.

It's fun to have lessons.

• レッスン (Ressun) - classroom
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 受ける (ukeru) - Receive, take
• のは (nowa) - Topic particle
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Completion particle

レジャーは私たちの生活に必要なリフレッシュの時間です。

Rejā wa watashitachi no seikatsu ni hitsuyōna rifureshu no jikan desu

Leisure is a refreshing time necessary for our lives.

• レジャー - lazer
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - we
• の - Possession particle
• 生活 - life
• に - Location particle
• 必要 - necessary
• な - adjective particle
• リフレッシュ - refreshment
• の - Possession particle
• 時間 - time
• です - to be (state verb)

レディーとして振る舞いましょう。

Redii to shite furumai mashou

Let's behave like a lady.

• レディー (Redii) - "lady" means "女性" in Japanese.
• として (toshite) - means "as" or "as" in Japanese
• 振る舞い (furumai) - means "behavior" or "way of acting" in Japanese
• ましょう (mashou) - is a suffix that indicates a suggestion or invitation to do something in Japanese

ワイシャツを着て出かけます。

Wai shatsu wo kite dekakemasu

I'm going out wearing a shirt.

I'm going out with a shirt.

• ワイシャツ (waishatsu) - dress shirt
• を (wo) - object particle
• 着て (kite) - wear, use
• 出かけます (dekakemasu) - go out