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:

私たちのグループに加入してください。

Watashitachi no gurūpu ni kanyū shite kudasai

Please join our group.

Please join our group.

• 私たちの - "Our"
• グループ - "Group"
• に - particle that indicates destination or direction
• 加入 - "Enter"
• してください - "Please, do"

私たちはグループで一緒に仕事をします。

Watashitachi wa gurūpu de issho ni shigoto o shimasu

We work together as a group.

We work together in the group.

• 私たちは - "We"
• グループで - "in group"
• 一緒に - Together
• 仕事をします - "we work"

私は雪の上で滑りました。

Watashi wa yuki no ue de subarimashita

I slipped in the snow.

I slipped in the snow.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 雪 - "snow"
• の - Possessive particle
• 上 - "on top of"
• で - Location particle
• 滑りました - verb "slide" in the past

私は彼女に結婚を申し出た。

Watashi wa kanojo ni kekkon wo moushidasita

I proposed marriage to her.

I offered him to get married.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun that means "girlfriend" or "fiancée" in Japanese
• に - particle that indicates the recipient of the action
• 結婚 - noun that means "marriage" in Japanese
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 申し出た - verb that means "propose" or "request" in Japanese, conjugated in the past

私は祖父から受け継いだ家族の伝統を大切にしています。

Watashi wa sofu kara uketsuguida kazoku no dentō o taisetsu ni shiteimasu

I value my family tradition that I inherited from my grandfather.

I value the family tradition inherited from my grandfather.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• から - particle that indicates the origin or starting point
• 受け継いだ - verb meaning "to inherit" or "to receive as an inheritance"
• 家族 - noun meaning "family" in Japanese
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 伝統 - noun meaning "tradition" in Japanese
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 大切にしています - verbal expression that means "to value" or "to give importance"

私の祖母は入院しています。

Watashi no sobo wa nyuin shiteimasu

My grandmother is hospitalized.

My grandmother is hospitalized.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 祖母 - "Grandfather"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 入院 - noun that means "hospitalization"
• しています - compound verb that means "to be hospitalized"

私の時計は壊れました。

Watashi no tokei wa kowaremashita

My watch broke.

My watch was broken.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "my"
• 時計 - noun meaning "watch"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 壊れました - verb meaning "broke" or "is broken", conjugated in the past tense

私の祖父はとても優しい人です。

Watashi no sofu wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandfather is a very kind person.

My grandfather is a very kind person.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 祖父 - "Grandfather"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "as for my grandfather"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "kind"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• です - verb indicating the polite form of the present, in this case, "is"

私は明日新しい本を買います。

Watashi wa ashita atarashii hon wo kaimasu

I'm going to buy a new book tomorrow.

I'm going to buy a new book tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 明日 (ashita) - means "tomorrow" in Japanese
• 新しい (atarashii) - means "new" in Japanese
• 本 (hon) - means "book" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, indicates that "book" is the direct object of the sentence
• 買います (kaimasu) - means "to buy" in Japanese, and is the verb in the sentence

私は自分で着物を仕立てました。

Watashi wa jibun de kimono o shitaterimashita

I made my own kimono.

I made my own kimono.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 自分 (jibun) - means "myself" or "yourself"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or method used to perform the action, in this case "by oneself"
• 着物 (kimono) - traditional Japanese clothing
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "kimono"
• 仕立てました (shitatemasu) - verb that means "to make" or "to create," in the affirmative past tense