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:

夕立ちが急に降り出した。

Yuudachi ga kyuu ni furidashita

A sudden summer rain started.

The shower started suddenly.

• 夕立ち - summer rain
• が - subject particle
• 急に - suddenly
• 降り出した - It started raining

夕暮れ時の西日が美しいです。

Yuugureji no nishibi ga utsukushii desu

The west sun of the west is beautiful during twilight.

West day at dusk is beautiful.

• 夕暮れ時 - moment of dusk
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 西日 - sunlight that strikes from the west
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

外相は日本の外交政策を担当します。

Gaisou wa Nihon no gaikou seisaku wo tantou shimasu

The foreign minister is responsible for Japanese foreign policy.

• 外相 - Minister of Foreign Affairs
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possessive particle
• 外交政策 - Foreign policy
• を - Direct object particle
• 担当します - Responsible for

多数決で決めましょう。

Tasūketsu de kimemashou

We will decide by majority vote.

We will decide by majority vote.

• 多数決 - which means "majority decision" in Japanese, is a decision-making method in which the option chosen is the one that receives the most votes.
• で - is a Japanese particle that indicates the means or method used to do something.
• 決めましょう - is a Japanese expression meaning "let's decide". It's made up of the verb 決める (decide) and the suggestion particle ましょう (let's).

外部からの攻撃に備えてセキュリティを強化しました。

Gai bu kara no kōgeki ni sonaete sekyuriti o kyōka shimashita

We strengthen security to protect ourselves from external attacks.

We strengthen security in preparation for external attacks.

• 外部からの攻撃に備えて - Prepared for external attacks
• セキュリティを - Security
• 強化しました - Reinforced

夜更かしは健康に悪いです。

Yofukashi wa kenkou ni warui desu

Staying up late is bad for your health.

Night time is bad for your health.

• 夜更かし - means "staying up late" in Japanese.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 健康 - It means "health" in Japanese.
• に - grammatical particle that indicates the relationship of something to something else.
• 悪い - means "bad" in Japanese.
• です - Japanese verb "to be", used to indicate a formal statement.

大いに楽しんだ。

Ooini tanoshinda

I had so much fun.

• 大いに - adverb that means "very" or "big"
• 楽しんだ - Verb in the past meaning "had fun" or "enjoyed"

大体の計画は立てましたか？

Daitai no keikaku wa tatemasu ka?

Did you make an approximate plan?

Did you make a difficult plan?

• 大体 - means "in general" or "approximately".
• の - possessive particle.
• 計画 - means "plan" or "project".
• は - topic particle.
• 立てましたか - verb "立てる" in the affirmative past tense, which means "to make" or "to create".
• ？ - question mark.

大切な人を大切にしましょう。

Taisetsu na hito wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's treat important people with care.

Take care of your loved ones.

• 大切な人 - pessoa importante
• を - object particle
• 大切に - With care, with importance
• しましょう - let's do it

大空は美しいです。

Ōzora wa utsukushii desu

The sky is beautiful.

The sky is beautiful.

• 大空 - means "wide sky" or "vast sky".
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the sky.
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.