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:

僅かな時間しかありません。

Wazuka na jikan shika arimasen

I only have a little time.

• 僅かな - adjective meaning "little", "scarce".
• 時間 - noun meaning "time".
• しか - particle indicating "only", "solely".
• ありません - verb in the negative form meaning "there is not", "there is not".

僕は日本語を勉強しています。

Boku wa nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 僕 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 勉強 - verb meaning "study" or "learn"
• しています - present form of the verb "suru" (to do) with the suffix "teiru" that indicates an action in progress

僧侶は禅寺で修行しています。

Souryo wa zenji de shugyou shiteimasu

Monks are training at Zenji Temple.

• 僧侶 - buddhist priest
• は - Topic particle
• 禅寺 - zen temple
• で - Location particle
• 修行 - religious practice, training
• しています - verb "to do" in the present continuous tense

優しい人は素晴らしいです。

Yasashii hito wa subarashii desu

Kind people are wonderful.

• 優しい - Kind, friendly
• 人 - person
• は - Topic particle
• 素晴らしい - wonderful, splendid
• です - Verb ser/estar in the formal present tense

元年は新しい始まりです。

Gannen wa atarashii hajimari desu

The first year is a new beginning.

• 元年 - New Year
• は - Topic particle
• 新しい - New
• 始まり - Beginning
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

先先月に東京に行きました。

Sensenshū ni Tōkyō ni ikimashita

In the last month

I went to Tokyo last month.

• 先先月 - "last month"
• に - particle indicating the place where the action took place
• 東京 - "Tokyo"
• に - particle indicating the place where the action took place
• 行きました - "was"

光沢のある髪の毛が美しいです。

Kōtaku no aru kaminoke ga utsukushīdesu

The shiny hair is beautiful.

• 光沢 - shine
• の - Possession particle
• ある - exist
• 髪の毛 - hair
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

先生は私たちに多くを教えてくれました。

Sensei wa watashitachi ni ooku o oshiete kuremashita

The teacher taught us a lot.

• 先生 (sensei) - Teacher
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• に (ni) - target particle
• 多く (ooku) - very
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 教えてくれました (oshiete kuremashita) - taught us

全国には美しい景色がたくさんあります。

Zenkoku ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful landscapes across the country.

• 全国 - it means "the whole country"
• には - it is a particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific place, in this case, "throughout the country"
• 美しい - It means "beautiful"
• 景色 - means "landscape" or "view"
• が - it is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "landscape"
• たくさん - It means "many" or "much"
• あります - It is a verb that means "to exist" or "to have"

公平な社会を目指しましょう。

Kouhei na shakai wo mezashimashou

Let's look for a fair society.

• 公平な - adjective meaning "fair" or "impartial"
• 社会 - noun meaning "society"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 目指しましょう - verb meaning "to seek" or "to aim for", conjugated in the polite imperative