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:

私は自首します。

Watashi wa jishu shimasu

I will turn myself in to the police.

I am myself.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 自首 (jishu) - means "confession" or "surrender" in Japanese
• します (shimasu) - polite form of the verb "to do", used to indicate future action

私は洋品店で新しいドレスを買いました。

Watashi wa youhinten de atarashii doresu wo kaimashita

I bought a new dress at the western clothing store.

I bought a new dress at a clothing store.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 洋品店 - noun "western clothing store"
• で - location particle, indicates that the action of buying took place "in the western clothing store"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• ドレス - noun "dress"
• を - direct object particle, indicates that "new dress" is the direct object of the action of buying
• 買いました - verb "bought" in the past tense

私は彼女が悲しむのを見るのが辛いです。

Watashi wa kanojo ga kanashimu no o miru no ga tsurai desu

It's hard for me to see her sad.

It's hard to see her sad.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 彼女 - pronoun "she"
• が - subject particle
• 悲しむ - verb "to be sad"
• の - nominal particle
• を - direct object particle
• 見る - verb "to see"
• の - nominal particle
• が - subject particle
• 辛い - adjective "difficult"
• です - verb to be"

私は長い散歩の後に草臥れました。

Watashi wa nagai sanpo no ato ni kusagarerimashita

I was exhausted after a long walk.

I was lying down after a long walk.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 長い - "long" adjective
• 散歩 - noun "walk"
• の - Possession particle
• 後に - expression "after"
• 草臥れました - verb "to be exhausted"

私は美しい景色を描くことが好きです。

Watashi wa utsukushii keshiki wo egaku koto ga suki desu

I enjoy drawing beautiful landscapes.

I enjoy drawing beautiful landscapes.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 景色 (keshiki) - noun that means "landscape" or "view"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 描く (egaku) - verb that means "to draw" or "to paint"
• こと (koto) - abstract noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like" or "to appreciate"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私はしくじってしまった。

Watashi wa shikujitte shimatta

I failed.

I was stuck.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates that "I" is the topic of the sentence
• しくじってしまった (shikujitte shimatta) - compound verb meaning "I failed" or "I made a mistake"

私は本を机から棚に移した。

Watashi wa hon o tsukue kara tana ni utsushita

I moved the table book for the shelf.

I changed the table book to the shelf.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - direct object particle, used to indicate the object of the action
• 机 (tsukue) - noun that means "table"
• から (kara) - particle that indicates the origin or starting point of the action
• 棚 (tana) - shelf
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or endpoint of the action
• 移した (utsushita) - transitive verb in the past, meaning "to move" or "to transfer"

私は失望しました。

Watashi wa shitsubou shimashita

I was disappointed.

I was disappointed.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 失望 (shitsubou) - noun that means "disappointment"
• しました (shimashita) - verb in the past that indicates a completed action, in this case "I was disappointed"

私は彼女に話し掛けた。

Watashi wa kanojo ni hanashikakeru ta

I talked with her.

I talked with her.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - pronoun that means "she"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for her"
• 話し掛けた (hanashikaketa) - verb that means "to speak with," conjugated in the past

私は新しいスマートフォンが欲しいです。

Watashi wa atarashii sumātofon ga hoshii desu

I want a new smartphone.

I want a new smartphone.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• スマートフォン (sumātofon) - noun meaning "smartphone"
• が (ga) - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case "smartphone"
• 欲しい (hoshii) - adjective meaning "to want"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence