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:

売店でお土産を買いました。

Baiten de omiyage wo kaimashita

I bought souvenirs at the souvenir shop.

I bought a souvenir at the stall.

• 売店 - Souvenir shop
• で - in
• お土産 - souvenir
• を - object particle
• 買いました - I bought

変更を行いました。

Henkou wo okonai mashita

We made a change.

I changed it.

• 変更 - "mudança" means "change" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 行いました - It is the past form of the verb "行う" (okonau), which means "to carry out" or "to perform".
• .

夕暮れが静かで美しいです。

Yuugure ga shizuka de utsukushii desu

The sunset is quiet and beautiful.

The twilight is quiet and beautiful.

• 夕暮れ (yūgure) - means "twilight" or "sunset"
• が (ga) - grammatical particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 静か (shizuka) - means "silent" or "calm"
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the condition or means in which something occurs
• 美しい (utsukushii) - means "handsome" or "beautiful"
• です (desu) - an educated and polite way to affirm something in Japanese

多分明日雨が降るでしょう。

Tabun ashita ame ga furu deshou

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

• 多分 - perhaps, probably
• 明日 - tomorrow
• 雨 - rain
• が - subject particle
• 降る - to fall (rain, snow)
• でしょう - expression of supposition, probably

四季の移り変わりが美しい。

Shiki no utsuri kawari ga utsukushii

The change of the four seasons is beautiful.

The change of the four seasons is beautiful.

• 四季 (しき) - this word means "seasons of the year".
• の - this is a particle that indicates possession or relation between words.
• 移り変わり (うつりかわり) - this word means "change, alternation, transition".
• が - this is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 美しい (うつくしい) - this word means "pretty, beautiful, charming."

回覧を配布しました。

Kairan wo haifu shimashita

We distributed the circulation document.

The circulation was distributed.

• 回覧 - Word that means "circulation of documents" or "distribution of information".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 配布 - Verb that means "distribute" or "deliver".
• しました - past form of the verb "suru", which indicates that the action was completed.

固定されたルールに従って行動してください。

Kotei sareta ruuru ni shitagatte koudou shite kudasai

Please, follow the established rules and act accordingly.

I'm sorry, I can only assist with translations. Please provide the text you would like to have translated.

• 固定された - fixed, unchanging
• ルール - rule
• に従って - following, according to
• 行動 - action, behavior
• してください - Please, make.

地形が険しい山道を登るのは大変だ。

Chikei ga kewashii yamamichi wo noboru no wa taihen da

Climbing a mountain trail with rugged terrain is difficult.

It is difficult to climb a steep mountain path.

• 地形 (chikei) - ground
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• 山道 (yamamichi) - mountain trail
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 登る (noboru) - climb
• のは (no wa) - particle that indicates topic
• 大変 (taihen) - Difficult, laborious
• だ (da) - Verb "to be"

地質学は地球の歴史を解明するために重要な役割を果たしています。

Chishitsugaku wa chikyū no rekishi o kaimei suru tame ni jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Geology plays an important role in understanding earth history.

Geology plays an important role in the elucidation of earth history.

• 地質学 - geological science
• 地球 - Planet Earth
• 歴史 - history
• 解明する - clarify
• ために - for
• 重要な - important
• 役割 - paper
• 果たしています - performs

報告書を提出してください。

Houkoku sho wo teishutsu shite kudasai

Please send the report.

Send a report.

• 報告書 - Report
• を - direct object particle
• 提出 - submit, present
• してください - Please, make.