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:

このデータをウェブページに埋め込むことができます。

Kono dēta o webu pēji ni umekomu koto ga dekimasu

You can embed this data on a web page.

You can embed this data on the web page.

• この (kono) - this, these
• データ (dēta) - data
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• ウェブページ (webu pēji) - web page
• に (ni) - target particle
• 埋め込む (umekomu) - incorporate, embed
• こと (koto) - Nominalizer noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• できます (dekimasu) - can be done

この新しいビジネスモデルの確立には時間がかかるでしょう。

Kono atarashii bijinesu moderu no kakuritsu ni wa jikan ga kakaru deshou

Establishing this new business model will take time.

• この (kono) - this
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• ビジネスモデル (bijinesu moderu) - business model
• の (no) - of
• 確立 (kakuritsu) - establishment
• には (niwa) - require
• 時間 (jikan) - time
• がかかる (gakakaru) - will take
• でしょう (deshou) - probably

この出来物は美味しいですか？

Kono dekibutsu wa oishii desu ka?

Is this creation delicious?

Is this source delicious?

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 出来物 - noun "thing made, product"
• は - Topic particle
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle

この列車は脱線しました。

Kono ressha wa dassen shimashita

This train has derailed.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 列車 - noun "train"
• は - Topic particle
• 脱線 - verb "derail"
• しました - verb "did" in the past tense

この問題はとても難しいです。

Kono mondai wa totemo muzukashii desu

This problem is very difficult.

This problem is very difficult.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 問題 - noun "problem"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 難しい - adjective "difficult"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この始末はどうしようもない。

Kono shimatsu wa dou shiyou mo nai

There is nothing you can do about this cleanup.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 始末 - noun meaning "disposition", "handling", "solution"
• は - Topic particle
• どうしようもない - expression that means "there is nothing that can be done", "it is irreparable"

この政策は物議を醸している。

Kono seisaku wa butsugi wo nameru shite iru

This policy is causing controversy.

This policy is controversial.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 政策 - noun "politics"
• は - Topic particle
• 物議 - noun "controversy"
• を - direct object particle
• 醸している - verb "to cause, to produce" conjugated in the present progressive tense

この料理の味はとても美味しいです。

Kono ryōri no aji wa totemo oishii desu

The flavor of this dish is very delicious.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 料理 - noun "dish, food"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 味 - noun "flavor"
• は - topic particle "is about"
• とても - adverb "very"
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• です - verb "to be" in the present polite

この雑誌に私の作品が掲載されました。

Kono zasshi ni watashi no sakuhin ga keisai sare mashita

My work was published in this magazine.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 雑誌 - noun "magazine"
• に - particle that indicates "in"
• 私の - possessive pronoun "my"
• 作品 - noun "work"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 掲載 - noun "publication"
• されました - passive verb "was published"

このプロジェクトの規模は大きすぎる。

Kono purojekuto no kibo wa ookisugiru

The size of this project is too big.

The size of this project is very large.

• この - demonstrative indicating proximity, in this case "this"
• プロジェクト - word in Japanese that means "project"
• の - particle indicating possession, in this case "of"
• 規模 - word in Japanese that means "scale" or "size"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• 大きすぎる - adjective in Japanese that means "too big"