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:

大臣は政治家の中でも重要な役割を果たしています。

Daijin wa seijika no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Ministers play an important role among politicians.

The minister plays an important role among politicians.

• 大臣 - minister
• は - Topic particle
• 政治家 - political
• の - Possessive particle
• 中でも - Especially among
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - role/function
• を - Direct object particle
• 果たしています - performs (present progressive)

女性は社会において重要な役割を果たしています。

Josei wa shakai ni oite juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Women play an important role in society.

• 女性 - Women
• は - Topic particle
• 社会 - Society
• において - na
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - Paper
• を果たしています - perform

始まりはいつも緊張します。

Hajimari wa itsumo kinchou shimasu

The beginning always makes me nervous.

The beginning is always nervous.

• 始まり - Japanese word meaning "beginning"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• いつも - Japanese word meaning "always"
• 緊張します - Word in Japanese that means "to be nervous"

妙な感じですね。

Myō na kanji desu ne

It's a strange feeling.

• 妙な - strange, peculiar
• 感じ - sensation, feeling
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)
• ね - confirmation or rhetorical particle

始発の電車に乗り遅れないようにしなければならない。

Shihatsu no densha ni noriokurenai you ni shinakereba naranai

You have to make sure you miss the first train.

• 始発の電車 - the first train
• に乗り遅れないように - not to miss
• しなければならない - It must be done

嫉妬は自分自身を苦しめるだけだ。

Shitto wa jibun jishin o kurushimeru dake da

Jealousy just grieves.

• 嫉妬 (shitto) - envy
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - To yourself
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 苦しめる (kurushimeru) - cause suffering
• だけ (dake) - Only
• だ (da) - verb to be in the present

実に素晴らしいですね。

Jitsu ni subarashii desu ne

Really wonderful

This is really wonderful.

• 実に - Really
• 素晴らしい - amazing
• です - is
• ね - NÃO É?

小学校で友達を作るのは楽しいです。

Shougakkou de tomodachi wo tsukuru no wa tanoshii desu

Making friends in elementary school is fun.

It's fun to make friends in elementary school.

• 小学校で - in primary school
• 友達を - friends
• 作る - make
• のは - is
• 楽しい - fun
• です - (sentence ending particle)

小指を骨折しました。

Koyubi wo kossetsu shimashita

I broke my little finger.

• 小指 - Pinky finger
• を - object particle
• 骨折 - fracture
• しました - past tense of the verb "suru" (to do)

少しでも多くの人々が幸せになることを願っています。

Sukoshi demo ooku no hitobito ga shiawase ni naru koto wo negatteimasu

I hope even if a little

I hope as many people as possible to be happy.

• 少し (sukoshi) - a little
• でも (demo) - but nevertheless
• 多く (ooku) - many
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人々 (hitobito) - people
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 幸せ (shiawase) - happiness
• に (ni) - target particle
• なる (naru) - become
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 願っています (negatteimasu) - desire, hope