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:

上等な品質の製品を提供します。

Joutou na hinshitsu no seihin wo teikyou shimasu

We provide superior quality products.

Provides high quality products.

• 上等な - superior
• 品質 - quality
• の - of
• 製品 - product
• を - direct object
• 提供します - will provide

不幸な出来事が起こってしまった。

Fukou na dekigoto ga okotte shimatta

An unfortunate event occurred.

• 不幸な - unhappy, unlucky
• 出来事 - event, incident
• が - subject particle
• 起こってしまった - happened, occurred

世辞を言われると嬉しいです。

Séji wo iwareru to ureshii desu

I'm happy when I get compliments.

Glad you are complained.

• 世辞 - praise
• を - object particle
• 言われる - ser dito
• と - connecting particle
• 嬉しい - happy
• です - be (linking verb)

丘陵は美しい自然の景色です。

Kyūryō wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu

The hill is a beautiful natural landscape.

• 丘陵 - hills
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - pretty
• 自然 - nature
• の - Possessive particle
• 景色 - landscape
• です - is

中学で友達をたくさん作りました。

Chuugaku de tomodachi wo takusan tsukurimashita

I made many friends in high school.

• 中学 - Secondary school
• で - particle that indicates the place where something happened
• 友達 - friends
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• 作りました - made, created

中央にある公園はとても美しいです。

Chūō ni aru kōen wa totemo utsukushii desu

The park in the center is very beautiful.

• 中央にある - located in the center
• 公園 - park
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

中継局からの生中継をお楽しみください。

Chūkei kyoku kara no nama chūkei o otanoshimi kudasai

Please enjoy the live broadcast of the relay station.

• 中継局 - Estação de retransmissão
• から - of
• の - Possession particle
• 生中継 - Live broadcast
• を - direct object particle
• お楽しみください - please, enjoy

中腹にある寺はとても美しいです。

Chūfuku ni aru tera wa totemo utsukushii desu

The temple in the hill is very beautiful.

• 中腹にある - located on the slope
• 寺 - temple
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

主人公は勇敢でした。

Shujinkou wa yuukan deshita

The protagonist was brave.

• 主人公 - main character
• は - Topic particle
• 勇敢 - brave
• でした - past participle of the verb "ser"

主語は文の中で最も重要な役割を果たします。

Shugo wa bun no naka de mottomo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashimasu

The subject plays the most important role in the sentence.

• 主語 (shujo) - subject
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 文 (bun) - sentence
• の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
• 最も (mottomo) - more, the most
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• を果たします (wo hatashimasu) - perform, fulfill