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:

ハンドバッグは女性の必需品です。

Handobaggu wa josei no hitsuyōhin desu

Handbags are women's necessities.

• ハンドバッグ - Handbag
• は - Topic particle
• 女性 - Woman
• の - Possessive particle
• 必需品 - Essential need
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

モーターは車や機械に欠かせない重要な部品です。

Mōtā wa kuruma ya kikai ni kakasenai jūyōna bubun desu

The engine is an important and indispensable piece in cars and machines.

The engines are important pieces indispensable for cars and machines.

• モーター - motor
• は - Topic particle
• 車 - car
• や - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• 機械 - machine
• に - target particle
• 欠かせない - indispensable
• 重要な - important
• 部品 - component
• です - be (linking verb)

上等な品質の製品を提供します。

Joutou na hinshitsu no seihin wo teikyou shimasu

We provide superior quality products.

Provides high quality products.

• 上等な - superior
• 品質 - quality
• の - of
• 製品 - product
• を - direct object
• 提供します - will provide

価格と品質が釣り合う商品を探しています。

Kakaku to hinshitsu ga tsuriau shouhin wo sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are in balance.

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are balanced.

• 価格 - (price)
• と - (e)
• 品質 - (quality)
• が - (subject particle)
• 釣り合う - (balance)
• 商品 - (product)
• を - (direct object particle)
• 探しています - (searching)

公認された商品は信頼できる。

Kōnin sareta shōhin wa shinrai dekiru

Certified products are reliable.

• 公認された - officially recognized
• 商品 - product
• は - Topic particle
• 信頼できる - Reliable

加工は製品の品質を向上させるために重要です。

Kakou wa seihin no hinshitsu wo koujou saseru tame ni juuyou desu

Processing is important to improve product quality.

• 加工 - manufacturing or processing process
• は - Topic particle
• 製品 - product
• の - Possessive particle
• 品質 - quality
• を - direct object particle
• 向上 - improvement, enhancement
• させる - causative verb for "to make better"
• ために - for, for the purpose of
• 重要 - important
• です - verb to be, polite form

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

各種商品が揃っています。

Kakushu shouhin ga sorotte imasu

Several products are available.

• 各種 - Several types
• 商品 - Products
• が - Subject particle
• 揃っています - They are complete/they are available

売り場にはたくさんの商品があります。

Uriba ni wa takusan no shouhin ga arimasu

In the store

There are many products on the sales floor.

• 売り場 (Uriba) - means "sales area" or "store."
• に (ni) - it is a particle that indicates the location of something, in this case, "in the sales area."
• は (wa) - it is a particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case, "in the sales area."
• たくさん (takusan) - means "many" or "a lot".
• の (no) - it is a particle that indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "many products".
• 商品 (shouhin) - means "products" or "goods".
• が (ga) - it is a particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the products".
• あります (arimasu) - is a verb that means "to exist" or "to be present", in this case, "there are many products in the sales area".

彼女の作品には雅致がある。

Kanojo no sakuhin ni wa gachi ga aru

Your work has elegance.

• 彼女の作品 - "Kanojo no sakuhin" means "her works".
• には - "Ni wa" is a particle that indicates that what follows is a characteristic or quality of what was mentioned earlier.
• 雅致 - "Gachi" is a term that refers to a refined and elegant quality.
• が - "Ga" is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - "Aru" is a verb meaning "to exist" or "to be".