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
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

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:

名刺を交換しましょう。

Meishi wo koukan shimashou

Let's exchange business cards.

名刺 (meishi) - Business Card
を (wo) - object particle
交換 (koukan) - exchange, exchange
しましょう (shimashou) - expression to suggest or invite someone to do something

含嗽をすると喉がスッキリします。

Gansou wo suru to nodo ga sukkiri shimasu

Gargling with goose leaves the throat refreshing.

If you gargle, your throat will be refreshing.

含嗽 - gargle
をすると - when done
喉 - throat
が - subject particle
スッキリ - refreshing, clean
します - makes

味が増しました。

aji ga mashimashita

The taste increased.

味 - flavor
が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
増しました - Increased

和を大切にしましょう。

wa wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's appreciate the sum.

和 - It means "harmony" or "peace" in Japanese.
を - The object particle in Japanese indicates that "harmonia" is the object of the sentence.
大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
に - destination particle in Japanese indicates that "important" is the destination of the sentence.
しましょう - The polite form of the verb "to do" in Japanese indicates a suggestion or request to do something.

商社は日本のビジネスに欠かせない存在です。

Shōsha wa Nihon no bijinesu ni kakasenai sonzai desu

Trading companies are indispensable for Japanese business.

商社 - Empresa comercial
は - Topic particle
日本の - From Japan
ビジネス - business
に - target particle
欠かせない - indispensable
存在 - existence
です - Verb "to be"

善し悪しは人それぞれです。

Zen shi aku shi wa hito sorezore desu

Good or bad is different for everyone.

善し (yoshi) - good
悪し (warushi) - bad
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
人 (hito) - person
それぞれ (sorezore) - each one
です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

喧しい音が耳障りだ。

Urusai oto ga mimizawari da

Noisy sound is irritating to the ears.

The blurred sound is annoying.

喧しい - noisy, loud
音 - sound
が - subject particle
耳障り - Annoying to the ears
だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

噴出した水蒸気が空に舞い上がった。

Funsu shita suijōki ga sora ni maiagatta

The spat out water vapor flew into the sky.

噴出した (funsu shita) - verb meaning "to gush" or "to sneeze"
水蒸気 (suijouki) - noun meaning "water vapor"
が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
空 (sora) - noun meaning "heaven"
に (ni) - particle indicating the target or location of the action
舞い上がった (maiagatta) - verb meaning "to dance up" or "to float", conjugated in the past tense