Translation and Meaning of: 品 - shina

The Japanese word 品[しな] is a versatile term with many nuances, present both in everyday life and in more formal contexts. If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and practical use can enrich your vocabulary and even your perception of Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic translation to cultural curiosities involving this word.

In addition to uncovering what 品 means, we will see how it appears in common expressions and how the Japanese use it in daily life. If you are looking to memorize the term or apply it in sentences, we have also gathered useful tips based on reliable sources. All of this is to help you use 品 naturally, whether in conversations or in more in-depth studies of the language.

Meaning and translation of 品

In its simplest form, 品[しな] can be translated as "item," "product," or "item." In a commercial context, it is common to hear phrases like "この品は高いですか？" (Is this item expensive?). However, its meaning goes beyond the material. The word also carries connotations such as "quality" or "class," especially when referring to something refined or elegant.

Another interesting use of 品 is in the expression 品がある [しながある], which describes someone or something with "class" or "dignity." This duality between the concrete (object) and the abstract (quality) makes the word quite flexible. It is worth noting that, although it has meanings close to "thing" or "commodity," 品 is not interchangeable with terms like 物 [もの] in all contexts.

Origin and writing of the kanji 品

The kanji 品 is composed of three squares (口), which represent mouths or containers. One theory suggests that this repetition symbolizes the idea of "classification" or "evaluation," as in the past, products were sorted into categories. This origin reflects well the modern use of the word, which is often associated with organized or qualified items.

It is worth noting that 品 is also one of the most consistent kanjis in terms of readings. Although there are alternative readings like ほん (in words such as 物品[ぶっぴん]), the pronunciation しな is the most common in everyday use. This makes it easier to memorize, especially for beginner students who are still getting familiar with the multiple readings of the kanjis.

Cultural usage and common expressions

In Japan, 品 is not limited to physical objects. The word is deeply connected to the notion of refinement, appearing in compliments such as 品が良い[しながいい] (to have good class). This cultural aspect is important as it shows how the Japanese language associates material characteristics with social values. An expensive wine, for example, can be described as 品のあるワイン (a classy wine).

Another useful expression is 品揃え[しなぞろえ], used in stores to refer to "variety of products." If you have ever entered a depaato (Japanese department store), you have probably seen signs with phrases like "Our store has a wide variety of items." These uses show how 品 is rooted in both commerce and the perception of value.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 物品 (buppin) - Object or item in general.
• 製品 (seihin) - Manufactured product.
• 商品 (shouhin) - Commercialized product.
• 品物 (shinmono) - Item, thing, or merchandise.
• 品質 (hinshitsu) - Product quality.
• 品揃え (shinazore) - Variety of products available.
• 品目 (hinmoku) - Item or category of products.
• 品種 (hinshu) - Variety or type of products.
• 品位 (hin'i) - Level of quality or dignity.
• 品格 (hinkaku) - Character or dignity of a product.

品

Romaji: shina
Kana: しな
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: thing; article; assets; dignity; Article (goods); Accountant for meal courses

Meaning in English: thing;article;goods;dignity;article (goods);counter for meal courses

Definition: goods and products.

Example Sentences - (品) shina

See below some example sentences:

この製品の質は非常に高いです。

Kono seihin no shitsu wa hijō ni takai desu

The quality of this product is very high.

The quality of this product is very high.

• この - this
• 製品 - product
• の - of
• 質 - quality
• は - is
• 非常に - very
• 高い - high
• です - is (politeness)

この賞品を進呈します。

Kono shōhin o shintei shimasu

I present this award.

This award will be presented.

• この - this
• 賞品 - award
• を - direct object particle
• 進呈 - present, offer
• します - verb "to do" in polite form

この機械の部品は交換が必要です。

Kono kikai no buhin wa kōkan ga hitsuyō desu

Parts of this machine need to be replaced.

Parts of this machine must be replaced.

• この - indicates the object being mentioned, in this case "this"
• 機械 - machine
• の - particle that indicates ownership, in this case "of the machine"
• 部品 - part
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the piece"
• 交換 - exchange, replacement
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "the exchange"
• 必要 - necessary
• です - verb to be in the present affirmative

お襁褓は赤ちゃんの必需品です。

O yōfuku wa akachan no hitsujuhin desu

Diapers are essential items for babies.

襁褓 is a necessity for a baby.

• お襁褓 - Japanese word meaning "diaper"
• は - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 赤ちゃん - Japanese word meaning "baby"
• の - Japanese grammatical particle indicating possession or relationship
• 必需品 - Japanese word meaning "essential need"
• です - Japanese verb indicating to be or to be in the present and formal tenses

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"

この品種のりんごはとても甘いです。

Kono hinshu no ringo wa totemo amai desu

This apple variety is very sweet.

The apple of this variety is very sweet.

• この - this
• 品種 - variety
• の - of
• りんご - Litter
• は - is
• とても - very
• 甘い - Sweet
• です - (end of sentence particle)

この品物はとても高価です。

Kono shinamono wa totemo kōka desu

This product is very expensive.

This item is very expensive.

• この - this
• 品物 - item, product
• は - is
• とても - very
• 高価 - dear, valuable
• です - It (verb to be polite)

この製品の仕様は非常に高いです。

Kono seihin no shiyō wa hijō ni takai desu

The specifications of this product are very high.

• この - this
• 製品 - product
• の - of
• 仕様 - specifications
• は - is
• 非常に - extremely
• 高い - high
• です - is (polite way of putting it)

この新しい製品には多くの反響がありました。

Kono atarashii seihin ni wa ooku no hankyō ga arimashita

This new product had a lot of repercussions.

This new product got a lot of response.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here" in Japanese
• 新しい - adjective that means "new" in Japanese
• 製品 - noun that means "product" in Japanese
• には - particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific place or time in Japanese
• 多くの - an adjective that means "many" in Japanese
• 反響 - noun that means "reaction" or "response" in Japanese
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence in Japanese
• ありました - verb that means "there was" or "existed" in Japanese, in the polite past

この作品は出品されました。

Kono sakuhin wa shuppin sare mashita

This work was put for sale.

This work was displayed.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 作品 - noun meaning "work" or "artistic work"
• は - topic particle which indicates that what comes before it is the main subject of the sentence
• 出品 - noun meaning "exhibition" or "display of works of art"
• されました - passive verb in the polite form, indicating that the action was carried out by someone, but not specifying who