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:

相続に関する手続きを完了しました。

Sōzoku ni kansuru tetsuzuki o kanryō shimashita

The procedure for inheritance has been completed.

The procedure for inheritance has been completed.

• 相続 (souzoku) - inheritance, succession
• に関する (ni kansuru) - related to, about
• 手続き (tetsuzuki) - procedure, process
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 完了 (kanryou) - conclusion, finalization
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"

真珠は美しい宝石です。

Shinju wa utsukushii houseki desu

The pearls are beautiful jewels.

Pearls are beautiful jewels.

• 真珠 (しんじゅ) - pearl
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい (うつくしい) - Beautiful, lovely
• 宝石 (ほうせき) - gemstone
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

眺めが美しいですね。

Nagame ga utsukushii desu ne

The view is beautiful

The view is beautiful.

• 眺め (nagame) - view, landscape
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
• ね (ne) - particle of confirmation or rhetorical question

着工したばかりです。

Chakkou shita bakari desu

We just started building.

I just started building.

• 着工 - It means "beginning of construction."
• した - It is the past form of the verb "suru", which means "to do".
• ばかり - it is a particle that indicates that something has just happened. In this case, "has just begun."
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "is".

用意してください。

youi shite kudasai

Please prepare yourself.

Please prepare.

• 用意してください -
• 用意 - - means "to prepare" or "to arrange" in Japanese.
• してください - - it is a polite expression that means "please do".

申告書を提出してください。

Shinkoku sho wo teishutsu shite kudasai

Please send the declaration form.

Please send a tax return.

• 申告書 - declaration document
• を - object particle
• 提出 - present, deliver
• して - form of the verb suru (to do)
• ください - please do

画は美しい芸術です。

Gaku wa utsukushii geijutsu desu

Painting is a beautiful art form.

Painting is fine art.

• 画 - means "painting" or "drawing".
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "painting".
• 美しい - means "beautiful" or "beautiful".
• 芸術 - means "art".
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "is".

異動がありました。

Idou ga arimashita

There has been a change.

There was a transfer.

• 異動 - It means "change" or "transfer" in Japanese.
• が - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ありました - Past form of the verb "aru", which means "to have" or "to exist" in Japanese.
• .

疎かにしないでください。

Sokan ni shinaide kudasai

Please do not neglect.

Please do not neglect.

• 疎か (おろそか) - negligence, carelessness
• に - particle that indicates target or direction
• しないで - negative form of the verb する (to do), followed by the particle で indicating means or instrument
• ください - imperative form of the verb くださる (give), which indicates a polite request or solicitation

Translation - Please do not neglect.

癌は恐ろしい病気です。

Gan wa osoroshii byouki desu

Cancer is a terrible disease.

Cancer is a terrible disease.

• 癌 (gan) - cancer
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 恐ろしい (osoroshii) - terrible, frightening
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form