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:

勇気を持って挑戦しよう。

Yuuki wo motte chousen shiyou

Let's challenge with courage.

• 勇気 (yūki) - courage
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持って (motte) - carregando/segurando
• 挑戦 (chōsen) - Challenge
• しよう (shiyou) - let's do/try

勝手にやってしまった。

Katte ni yatte shimatta

I did this on my own.

I did this without permission.

• 勝手に - "on your own"
• やって - "made"
• しまった - "finished"

区々とした意見がある。

Kukkyo to shita iken ga aru

There are varied opinions.

There are several opinions.

• 区々とした - means "diverse" or "varied".
• 意見 - means "opinion".
• が - particle that indicates subject or object of the sentence.
• ある - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".

医師は患者の健康を守るために尽力しています。

Ishi wa kanja no kenkō o mamoru tame ni jinryoku shiteimasu

Doctors work hard to protect their patients' health.

Doctors are working hard to protect the patient's health.

• 医師 - doctor
• は - Topic particle
• 患者 - patient
• の - Possession particle
• 健康 - health
• を - direct object particle
• 守る - protect
• ために - for
• 尽力しています - make the maximum effort

十分に満足しています。

Juubun ni manzoku shiteimasu

I'm completely satisfied.

I'm satisfied enough.

• 十分に - adverb that means "enough"
• 満足 - noun that means "satisfaction"
• しています - verb する (to do) in the progressive form (ている) indicating action in progress

半分の時間が経ちました。

Hanbun no jikan ga tachimashita

Half the time has passed.

The middle of the time has passed.

• 半分 (hanbun) - half
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 経ちました (tachimashita) - passed, took place

半径が長い円形のテーブルを探しています。

Hansei ga nagai enkei no teburu wo sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a circular table with a long radius.

I'm looking for a circular table with a long radius.

• 半径 (hankei) - ray
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 長い (nagai) - far away
• 円形 (enkei) - circular
• の (no) - Possession particle
• テーブル (teeburu) - table
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 探しています (sagashiteimasu) - searching

危険を冒してまでやる価値はない。

Kiken wo okashite made yaru kachi wa nai

It is not worth doing this until the danger.

• 危険 (ki ken) - danger
• を (wo) - object particle
• 冒して (okashite) - risk, challenge
• まで (made) - up until
• やる (yaru) - make
• 価値 (kachi) - value
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• ない (nai) - negation

厚かましい人間は嫌われる。

Atsukamashii ningen wa kirawareru

Shameless people are hated.

Humans are hated.

• 厚かましい - shameless, shameless
• 人間 - Human being
• は - Topic particle
• 嫌われる - to be hated, to be detested

原料は製品の品質に大きく影響します。

Genryō wa seihin no hinshitsu ni ōkiku eikyō shimasu

The subjects have a significant effect on product quality.

• 原料 - raw material
• は - Topic particle
• 製品 - product
• の - Possession particle
• 品質 - quality
• に - target particle
• 大きく - greatly
• 影響します - influence