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:

例外が発生しました。

Regai ga hassei shimashita

An exception occurred.

Exception occurred.

• 例外 - means "exception" in Japanese.
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 発生 - means "occurrence" or "appearance" in Japanese.
• しました - past form of the verb "suru", which means "to do" or "to occur".

供給が不足しています。

Kyōkyū ga fusoku shiteimasu

Supply is out of stock.

There is a lack of supply.

• 供給 (kyoukyuu) - supply
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 不足しています (fusokushiteimasu) - is lacking, is insufficient

価格と品質が釣り合う商品を探しています。

Kakaku to hinshitsu ga tsuriau shouhin wo sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are in balance.

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are balanced.

• 価格 - (price)
• と - (e)
• 品質 - (quality)
• が - (subject particle)
• 釣り合う - (balance)
• 商品 - (product)
• を - (direct object particle)
• 探しています - (searching)

便宜な価格で提供します。

Beni na kakaku de teikyo shimasu

We offer affordable prices.

We offer at a convenient price.

• 便宜な - adjective meaning "convenient", "favorable", "advantageous".
• 価格 - noun meaning "price".
• で - particle that indicates the means or way in which something is done.
• 提供します - verb meaning "to offer", "to provide", "to make available".

俄かには信じられない話だ。

Gakka ni wa shinjirarenai hanashi da

It's an incredible story.

• 俄かに - adverb meaning "suddenly"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 信じられない - Adjective that means "incredible" or "unbelievable"
• 話 - noun that means "history" or "tale"
• だ - particle that indicates the affirmative form of the sentence

俳句は季節感を表現する素晴らしい詩形です。

Haiku wa kisetsukan wo hyōgen suru subarashii shikei desu

Haiku is a wonderful poetic form that expresses the feeling of the season.

Haiku is wonderful poetry that expresses the seasonal feeling.

• 俳句 - Japanese three-line poem
• 季節感 - feeling of the season
• 表現 - expression
• 素晴らしい - amazing
• 詩形 - poetic form

個性を大切にしましょう。

Kosei wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value the personality.

• 個性 - means "individuality" or "personality".
• を - direct object particle.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• に - particle indicating destination or goal.
• しましょう - polite form of the verb "to do" in the imperative, indicating a suggestion or request to do something.

個別に対応します。

Kobetsu ni taiou shimasu

I will deal with this individually.

We will respond individually.

• 個別に - individually
• 対応します - respond, answer

偖しくもあなたと出会えたことに感謝しています。

Sasuga ni anata to deaeta koto ni kansha shiteimasu

I am grateful to have met you.

• 偖しくも (ayashikumo) - adverb meaning "in a mysterious way"
• あなたと (anata to) - personal pronoun "you" followed by the particle "com"
• 出会えた (deatta) - verb "to find" in the past
• ことに (koto ni) - particle that indicates "in relation to"
• 感謝しています (kansha shiteimasu) - verb "thank" in the present

停止しなければなりません。

Deve

to separate

You have to stop.

• 停止 (teishi) - means "to stop" or "to cease"
• しなければなりません (shinakereba narimasen) - it is an expression that means "must be done" or "it is necessary to do".