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."

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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:

私たちは階級制度を廃止する必要があると信じています。

Watashitachi wa kaikyū seido o haishi suru hitsuyō ga aru to shinjite imasu

We believe we need to abolish the class system.

私たちは - We
階級制度 - class system
を - object particle
廃止する - abolish
必要がある - be necessary
と - Quote particle
信じています - believe

私たちは多くの時間を費やしてこのプロジェクトを完成させました。

Watashitachi wa ōku no jikan o tsuiyashte kono purojekuto o kansei sasemashita

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

私たちは (watashitachi wa) - We
多くの (ooku no) - Many
時間を (jikan o) - Time
費やして (tsuiyashite) - Expense
この (kono) - This one
プロジェクトを (purojekuto o) - project
完成させました (kansei sasemashita) - We concluded

私たちは多くの経験と知識を有しています。

Watashitachi wa ōku no keiken to chishiki o yū shite imasu

We have a lot of experience and knowledge.

私たちは (watashitachi wa) - We
多くの (ooku no) - Many
経験 (keiken) - Experiences
と (to) - and
知識 (chishiki) - Knowledge
を (wo) - Direct object particle
有しています (arushiteimasu) - We have

私たちは対面して話し合いました。

Watashitachi wa taimen shite hanashiaimashita

We met face to face and argued.

We talked to face -to -face.

私たちは - 「私たち」
対面して - "We met face to face" in Japanese
話し合いました - "We discussed" in Japanese

私たちは別荘で夏休みを過ごしました。

Watashitachi wa bessou de natsuyasumi o sugoshimashita

We spend the summer vacation in a country house.

We spend summer holidays in the village.

私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
別荘で - location "in the country house"
夏休みを - summer vacation" period
過ごしました - verb "passamos"

私たちは毎年春に畑を耕します。

Watashitachi wa maitoshi haru ni hatake o tagayasu shimasu

We plow the field every year in the spring.

We plow the fields every spring.

私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
毎年 - adverb of frequency "every year"
春に - noun "spring" + time particle "in spring"
畑を - noun "field" + direct object particle "the field"
耕します - verb "arar" conjugated in the present "aramos"

私は努めて日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa tsutomete Nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I am striving to study Japanese.

I'm working hard to study Japanese.

私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
努めて - verb meaning "to strive" or "to work hard"
日本語 - noun meaning "Japanese", the Japanese language
を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case "study"
勉強しています - compound verb meaning "to be studying", in the present continuous tense

私は忙しいです。

Watashi wa isogashii desu

I'm busy.

私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
忙しい - adjective meaning "busy" or "occupied"
です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私は大学を修了しました。

Watashi wa daigaku wo shuuryou shimashita

I graduated from the university.

I completed college.

私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
大学 - noun meaning "university"
を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "university"
修了 - verb meaning "to graduate"
しました - past form of the verb "to do", indicating that the action has been completed