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

Related words

ブラシ

burashi

brush; brush

ビジネス

bizinesu

business

バッジ

bazi

distinctive

パジャマ

pazyama

Pajamas; pajamas

トランジスター

toranzisuta-

transistor

ティッシュペーパー

thisyupe-pa-

tissue

デコレーション

dekore-syon

decoration

デモンストレーション

demonsutore-syon

demonstration

チェンジ

tyenzi

change

タクシー

takushi-

Taxi

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."

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (し) shi

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (し) shi:

Example Sentences - (し) shi

See below some example sentences:

厳しい世界で生きる。

Kibishii sekai de ikiru

Living in a harsh world.

Live in a harsh world.

厳しい - means "rigorous" or "severe"
世界 - It means "world".
で - it is a particle that indicates the place or situation in which something happens
生きる - means "to live"

反りがある刀は美しいです。

Kawari ga aru katana wa utsukushii desu

A curved sword is beautiful.

The deformed sword is beautiful.

反りがある - curvado
刀 - sword
美しい - beautiful
です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

取り引きはビジネスにとって重要な要素です。

Torihiki wa bijinesu ni totte juuyou na youso desu

Negotiation is an important element of business.

Negotiation is an important factor for business.

取り引き - negotiation, transaction
は - Topic particle
ビジネス - business
にとって - for, in relation to
重要 - important
な - adjective particle
要素 - element
です - verb to be, affirmative present

受け取りを確認しました。

Uketori wo kakunin shimashita

I confirmed the receipt.

受け取り - Receipt
を - object particle
確認 - Confirmation
しました - past tense of the verb "to do"

古い寺は美しいです。

Furui tera wa utsukushii desu

Old temples are beautiful.

The old temple is beautiful.

古い - old
寺 - temple
は - Topic particle
美しい - beautiful
です - verb ser/estar (polite)

召し上がるものは何ですか？

Moshigagaru mono wa nan desu ka?

What would you like to eat?

What are you eaten?

召し上がる - verb that means "to eat" or "to drink" in Japanese
もの - noun that means "thing" or "item"
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "what"
何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
です - Verb "to be" in polite form
か - Particle that indicates a question

可愛らしい花ですね。

Kawaīrashī hana desu ne

What a lovely flower.

It is a beautiful flower.

可愛らしい - Adjective meaning "adorable" or "cute"
花 - noun meaning "flower"
です - Verb "to be" in polite form
ね - ending particle that can indicate a rhetorical question or a confirmation

各地で美しい景色を見ることができます。

Kakuchi de utsukushii keshiki wo miru koto ga dekimasu

You can see beautiful scenery in many places.