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:

過密なスケジュールはストレスを引き起こす。

Kamitsu na sukejuuru wa sutoresu o hikiokosu

A very busy schedule causes stress.

Overcrowded schedule causes stress.

• 過密な - It means "densely populated" or "very full".
• スケジュール - It means "agenda" or "schedule".
• は - grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• ストレス - It means "stress".
• を - Direct object marker in a sentence.
• 引き起こす - It means "cause" or "provoke".

過程を大切にしましょう。

Katei wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value the process.

Let's value the process.

• 過程 (katei) - process
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• に (ni) - adverbial particle
• しましょう (shimashou) - let's do it, let's carry it out

適宜に対応してください。

Tekigi ni taiou shite kudasai

Please respond accordingly.

Please respond accordingly.

• 適宜 (teki gi) - adequately, appropriately
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the target of the action
• 対応 (taio) - response, reaction, correspondence
• して (shite) - form of the verb "suru" (する) in the gerund
• ください (kudasai) - Please, make.

輝く星空が美しいです。

Kagayaku hoshizora ga utsukushii desu

The bright starry sky is beautiful.

The bright starry sky is beautiful.

• 輝く - brillant
• 星空 - Starlit sky
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

農村は自然に囲まれた素晴らしい場所です。

Nōson wa shizen ni kakomareta subarashii basho desu

Rural areas are wonderful places surrounded by nature.

Rural is a wonderful place surrounded by nature.

• 農村 - It means "rural village" in Japanese.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 自然 - Means "nature" in Japanese.
• に - grammatical particle that indicates the relationship of something to something else.
• 囲まれた - past form of the verb "囲む" which means "to surround".
• 素晴らしい - means "wonderful" or "splendid" in Japanese.
• 場所 - means "place" in Japanese.
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

途中で風邪をひいてしまった。

Tochuu de kaze wo hiite shimatta

I took a cold halfway.

I took a cold on the way.

• 途中で - "in the middle of the way"
• 風邪をひいてしまった - "I caught a cold"

途端に雨が降り出した。

Todan ni ame ga furidashita

Suddenly

Immediately began to rain.

• 途端に - immediately, the moment
• 雨が - rain
• 降り出した - it started to fall, it started to rain

通知を受け取りました。

Tsūchi o uketorimashita

I received a notification.

I got the notification.

• 通知 (tsūchi) - notification
• を (wo) - object particle
• 受け取りました (uketorimashita) - received

貴族は古代から存在している。

Kizoku wa kodai kara sonzai shite iru

Nobility has existed since antiquity.

Nobles have existed since ancient times.

• 貴族 (kizoku) - nobility
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 古代 (kodai) - Antique
• から (kara) - A partir de
• 存在している (sonzai shiteiru) - exist, be present

質問をしてもいいですか？

Shitsumon wo shitemo ii desu ka?

I can ask a question?

I can ask a question?

• 質問 - means "question" in Japanese
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese
• して - form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese, in the gerund
• も - inclusion particle in Japanese
• いい - adjective meaning "good" in Japanese
• です - polite form of the verb "to be" in Japanese
• か - question mark in Japanese
• ？ - question mark in Japanese