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:

今回の旅行は楽しかったです。

Konnkai no ryokou wa tanoshikatta desu

The trip this time was fun.

This trip was fun.

• 今回の旅行 - konkai no ryokou(trip this time)
• は - wa(topic particle)
• 楽しかった - tanoshikatta(it was fun)
• です - desu(verb to be/estar in the present tense)

今後もよろしくお願いします。

Kongo mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu

Please keep supporting me from now on.

I hope to work with you in the future.

• 今後 (kongo) - From now on
• も (mo) - also
• よろしく (yoroshiku) - please take care of me
• お願いします (onegaishimasu) - please do

乗り越しは避けたい。

Norikoshi wa saketai

I want to avoid overcoming.

I want to avoid overcoming.

• 乗り越し - means "overtaking" or "to exceed the limit".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 避けたい - verb meaning "to want to avoid".
• .

乙女は美しいです。

Otome wa utsukushii desu

Young women are beautiful.

The maiden is beautiful.

• 乙女 - means "girl" or "maiden".
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the girl".
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

事柄について話し合いましょう。

Jigara ni tsuite hanashi aimashou

Let's discuss it.

Let's talk about things.

• 事柄 - subject, theme
• について - about
• 話し合い - Discussion, conversation
• ましょう - let's do, let's have

二つのりんごを食べました。

Futatsu no ringo wo tabemashita

I ate two apples.

I ate two apples.

• 二つの (futatsu no) - two
• りんご (ringo) - apples
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 食べました (tabemashita) - ate

五つのりんごを買いました。

Gotsu no ringo wo kaimashita

I bought five apples.

I bought five apples.

• 五つの - five
• りんご - apples
• を - object particle
• 買いました - I bought

交差点には注意してください。

Kousaten ni wa chuui shite kudasai

Please pay attention at the intersection.

Be careful with the intersection.

• 交差点 - means "crossing" in Japanese.
• に - is a particle that indicates the location of the object of the sentence, in this case, the intersection.
• は - is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, the attention warning.
• 注意 - means "attention" in Japanese.
• してください - is an expression that means "please do" or "please pay attention."

中毒にならないように注意してください。

Chūdoku ni naranai yō ni chūi shite kudasai

Please be careful not to be poisoned.

Be careful not to be addicted.

• 中毒 - means "poisoning" or "toxicity".
• に - particle indicating action or the state in which something is.
• ならない - negative form of the verb "naru", which means "to become". In this case, it indicates that something will not become something.
• ように - expression that indicates the purpose or objective of an action. In this case, it indicates that the action is to avoid something.
• 注意 - means "to pay attention" or "to be careful".
• してください - an expression that indicates a polite request. In this case, it indicates that the person is asking someone else to be careful.

主催者はこのイベントを成功させるために全力を尽くします。

Shusaisya wa kono ibento wo seikou saseru tame ni zenryoku wo tsukushimasu

The organizer will do his best to make this event a success.

The organizer will do everything possible to make this event successful.

• 主催者 (shusai-sha) - organizer
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• この (kono) - this
• イベント (ibento) - event
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 成功 (seikou) - success
• させる (saseru) - make
• ために (tame ni) - for
• 全力 (zenryoku) - all the power
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 尽くします (tsukushimasu) - do the best we can