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:

レンジで温めてください。

Renji de atatamete kudasai

Por favor, aqueça no micro-ondas.

Quente no alcance.

• レンジ - significa "micro-ondas" em japonês
• で - uma partícula que indica o local onde a ação ocorre, neste caso, "no micro-ondas"
• 温めて - forma verbal do verbo 温める (atatameru) que significa "aquecer"
• ください - uma expressão educada que significa "por favor" ou "faça"

レントゲンで骨折を診断されました。

Rento gen de kossetsu wo shindan sare mashita

I was diagnosed with a fracture through an x-ray.

• レントゲン - x-ray
• で - Location particle
• 骨折 - fracture
• を - direct object particle
• 診断 - diagnosis
• されました - was done (past honorific)

ローマ字を覚えるのは難しいです。

Rōmaji wo oboeru no wa muzukashii desu

Learning romaji is hard.

It's hard to learn roman letters.

• ローマ字 - "romaji" - Japanese writing system that uses the Latin alphabet
• を - direct object particle
• 覚える - "oboeru" - remember, memorize
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - "muzukashii" - difficult
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

ロマンチックな夜景が美しいです。

Romanchikku na yakei ga utsukushii desu

The romantic night landscape is beautiful.

The romantic night view is beautiful.

• ロマンチックな - Romantic (adjective meaning "romantic")
• 夜景が - Yakei ga (noun meaning "night view")
• 美しいです - Beautiful (adjective that means "beautiful" and verb that indicates "to be" in the present)

一休みしましょう。

Ichi kyuu mi shimashou

Let's take a coffee break.

Let's take a coffee break.

• 一 - means "one" or "first".
• 休み - means "rest".
• しましょう - is a polite way of saying "let's do it", indicating a suggestion or invitation.

パスワードを入力してください。

Pasuwādo o nyūryoku shite kudasai

Please enter the password.

Please enter your password.

• パスワード (pasuwādo) - password
• を (wo) - object particle
• 入力 (nyūryoku) - input, typing
• して (shite) - form of the verb "suru" (する) in the gerund
• ください (kudasai) - please give me

ふんだんに使われる食材は美味しいです。

Fundayni tsukawareru shokuzai wa oishii desu

The ingredients used in abundance are delicious.

The ingredients used in abundance are delicious.

• ふんだんに - adverb meaning "abundantly"
• 使われる - verb in the passive form meaning "to be used"
• 食材 - noun meaning "food ingredients"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of speech

ベストな選択をしましょう。

Besuto na sentaku wo shimashou

Let's make the best choice.

Let's make the best choice.

• ベストな - better
• 選択 - choose
• を - direct object particle
• しましょう - let's do it

ボタンを押してください。

Botan wo oshite kudasai

Please press the button.

Press the button.

• ボタン (botan) - button
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 押して (oshite) - pressure
• ください (kudasai) - Please

マフラーを巻いて暖かくしてください。

Mafurā wo maite atatakaku shite kudasai

Please wrap a scarf and keep warm.

Wrap the silencer and keep it warm.

• マフラー (máfura) - scarf
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 巻いて (maite) - to roll
• 暖かく (atatakaku) - hot
• して (shite) - make
• ください (kudasai) - Please