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:

私たちは信任関係を築くことが重要だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa shinnin kankei o kizuku koto ga juuyou da to shinjite imasu

We believe it is important to build trust.

• 私たちは - We
• 信任関係 - Relationship of trust
• を - object particle
• 築く - Build
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 重要 - Important
• だ - Abbreviated form of です (to be).
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - We believe

私たちは任務を完了するために全力を尽くします。

Watashitachi wa ninmu o kanryou suru tame ni zenryoku o tsukushimasu

We will do our best to complete the mission.

• 私たちは - We
• 任務を - mission
• 完了する - complete
• ために - for
• 全力を尽くします - do our best

私たちは常に自己啓発を深めることが大切だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni jiko keihatsu o fukameru koto ga taisetsu da to shinjiteimasu

We believe it is important to always deepen self -development.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 自己啓発 - Self-development
• を - object particle
• 深める - Deepen
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 大切 - Important
• だ - Verb "to be"
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - We believe

私たちは毎日の活動を大切にしています。

Watashitachi wa mainichi no katsudō o taisetsu ni shiteimasu

We value our daily activities.

We value our daily activities.

• 私たちは - We
• 毎日の - diary
• 活動を - Activities
• 大切にしています - We value a lot

私たちは毎日登校します。

Watashitachi wa mainichi toukou shimasu

We go to school every day.

Let's go to school every day.

• 私たちは - We
• 毎日 - every day
• 登校します - let's go to school

私たちは来月引越しをする予定です。

Watashitachi wa raigetsu hikkoshi o suru yotei desu

We plan to move next month.

Let's move next month.

• 私たちは - We
• 来月 - Next month
• 引越し - Moving house
• を - object particle
• する - to do
• 予定 - Plan
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

私たちはこのプロジェクトで素晴らしい成果を出すことができました。

Watashitachi wa kono purojekuto de subarashii seika o dasu koto ga dekimashita

We managed to get great results on this project.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• この - demonstrative adjective "this"
• プロジェクト - noun "project"
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 素晴らしい - adjective "wonderful"
• 成果 - noun "result"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 出す - "to produce"
• ことが - particle indicating action or event
• できました - verb "to be able to"

私たちは目論見を達成するために全力を尽くします。

Watashitachi wa mokuroumi o tassei suru tame ni zenryoku o tsukushimasu

We will do our best to achieve our perspectives.

• 私たちは - We
• 目論見 - Plan, objective
• を - object particle
• 達成する - Achieve, accomplish
• ために - to, with the objective of
• 全力を尽くします - We'll do our best

私たちは明日新しい町を訪れます。

Watashitachi wa ashita atarashii machi o otozuremasu

We're going to visit a new city tomorrow.

We're visiting a new city tomorrow.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 明日 - adverb "tomorrow"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• 町 - noun "city"
• を - direct object particle
• 訪れます - verb "to visit" conjugated in the present/future

私たちは婚約を発表しました。

Watashitachi wa kon'yaku o happyō shimashita

We announced our engagement.

We announced an engagement.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 婚約 - engagement
• を - object particle
• 発表 - announce
• しました - verb "to do" conjugated in the past