Translation and Meaning of: 新 - shin

The Japanese word 新 [しん] is an essential term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. With a meaning revolving around "new" or "fresh," it appears in various contexts, from names of establishments to everyday expressions. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and most common uses of this word, as well as tips to memorize it easily.

If you've encountered terms like 新しい (atarashii) or 新聞 (shinbun), you’ve noticed that the kanji 新 is present in various words of the Japanese vocabulary. Here, we will understand how it is used, its pronunciation, and even curiosities about its application in names of stores, products, and events. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, provides detailed information for those who want to master this and other fundamental terms.

Meaning and use of 新 [しん]

The kanji 新 means "new" and is often used in compounds to indicate something recent, renewed, or unprecedented. It can appear alone, as in 新幹線 (shinkansen, the bullet train), or combined with other kanjis, as in 新年 (shinnen, New Year). Its most common reading is "shin," but it can also be read as "atarashii" or "ara" in certain contexts.

In everyday life, this word is widely used in commercial establishments. Restaurants, stores, and even train stations often use 新 to highlight new items, such as in 新メニュー (shin menyuu, new menu). Additionally, it appears in expressions like 新卒 (shinsotsu, newly graduated) and 新製品 (shinseihin, new product), demonstrating its versatility.

Origin and writing of the kanji 新

The kanji 新 is composed of two radicals: 斤 (kin, axe) and 辛 (karai, spicy). Originally, it represented the idea of "cutting fresh wood," which evolved into the meaning of "new." This relationship between cutting something recent and the concept of novelty is an interesting example of how kanjis carry histories in their structure.

In writing, it is important to pay attention to the order of strokes to avoid mistakes. The radical 斤 comes first, followed by 辛. Mastering the correct writing helps with memorization and recognition of kanji in different contexts. Tools like Suki Nihongo provide detailed guides to practice Japanese calligraphy.

Tips for memorizing 新 [しん]

An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with known terms that use it. For example, 新宿 (Shinjuku) is one of the most famous stations in Tokyo, and 新潟 (Niigata) is a Japanese prefecture. Creating flashcards with these words can help reinforce learning.

Another tip is to practice with everyday phrases, such as "この本は新しいですか?" (Kono hon wa atarashii desu ka?, Is this book new?). Repeating these structures in real contexts makes assimilation easier. Additionally, watching animes or dramas where the word appears is also a great way to become familiar with its natural use.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 新しい (atarashii) - New
• 新たな (aratana) - New, Fresh (emphasis on something different or renewed)
• 新規 (shinki) - New, New type (emphasis on a new record or type)
• 新設 (shinseki) - New installation (emphasis on something newly established)
• 新築 (shinchiku) - New construction (emphasis on a new building)
• 新品 (shinpin) - New product (emphasis on something that has never been used)
• 新作 (shinsaku) - New work (emphasis on artistic or entertainment works)
• 新年 (shinnen) - New Year
• 新型 (shingata) - New model (emphasis on new versions/types of products)
• 新入生 (shinnyuusei) - Freshman (new student in a school or university)

新

Romaji: shin
Kana: しん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: new

Meaning in English: new

Definition: New: Denotes something that did not exist before, was recently created, was created or has just started.

Example Sentences - (新) shin

See below some example sentences:

私は毎週新しい商品を仕入れます。

Watashi wa maishuu atarashii shouhin o shiirerimasu

I buy new products every week.

I buy new products every week.

• 私は - personal pronoun "I"
• 毎週 - adverb "weekly"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• 商品を - noun "product" + particle "the" (direct object)
• 仕入れます - verb "comprar" (formal)

私は毎日新聞を講読しています。

Watashi wa mainichi shinbun o koudoku shiteimasu

I read the newspaper every day.

I am reading the newspaper every day.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 毎日 - "every day"
• 新聞 - "newspaper"
• を - direct object particle
• 講読 - "read aloud; read in public"
• しています - polite form of the verb "to do" in the present continuous

彼女は私に新しいドレスを見せてくれた。

Kanojo wa watashi ni atarashii doresu o miseru te kureta

She showed me a new dress.

She showed me a new dress.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私に (watashi ni) - for me
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• ドレス (doresu) - dress
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見せてくれた (misete kureta) - showed me

公募で新しい人材を募集します。

Koubo de atarashii jintai wo boshuu shimasu

We are recruiting new talent through a public offering.

We are looking for new human resources for an open call for participants.

• 公募 - means "public summons".
• で - is a particle that indicates the means or method used to carry out the action.
• 新しい - means "new" or "recent".
• 人材 - means "personnel" or "human resources".
• を - is a particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 募集します - means "to recruit" or "to seek out".

革新は社会の進歩を促進する。

Kakushin wa shakai no shinpo wo sokushin suru

Innovation promotes social progress.

• 革新 - "イノベーション" significa "inovação" em japonês.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 社会 - "Sociedade" em japonês significa 社会 (しゃかい, shakai).
• の - It is a grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• 進歩 - Significa "progress" em japonês.
• を - is a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 促進する - "promote" or "stimulate" in Japanese means "促進する" (sokushin suru).

私は新しいシャツを買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii shatsu o kaitai desu

I want to buy a new shirt.

I want to buy a new shirt.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• シャツ (shatsu) - noun meaning "shirt"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to buy"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the formality of the sentence

私たちは新しい装備を手に入れました。

Watashitachi wa atarashii soubi o te ni iremashita

We have new equipment.

We have new equipment.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 新しい - "new" in Japanese
• 装備 - "equipment" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 手に入れました - "acquired" in Japanese

私は明日新しい本を買います。

Watashi wa ashita atarashii hon wo kaimasu

I'm going to buy a new book tomorrow.

I'm going to buy a new book tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 明日 (ashita) - means "tomorrow" in Japanese
• 新しい (atarashii) - means "new" in Japanese
• 本 (hon) - means "book" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, indicates that "book" is the direct object of the sentence
• 買います (kaimasu) - means "to buy" in Japanese, and is the verb in the sentence

私は洋品店で新しいドレスを買いました。

Watashi wa youhinten de atarashii doresu wo kaimashita

I bought a new dress at the western clothing store.

I bought a new dress at a clothing store.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 洋品店 - noun "western clothing store"
• で - location particle, indicates that the action of buying took place "in the western clothing store"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• ドレス - noun "dress"
• を - direct object particle, indicates that "new dress" is the direct object of the action of buying
• 買いました - verb "bought" in the past tense

私は新しいスマートフォンが欲しいです。

Watashi wa atarashii sumātofon ga hoshii desu

I want a new smartphone.

I want a new smartphone.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• スマートフォン (sumātofon) - noun meaning "smartphone"
• が (ga) - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case "smartphone"
• 欲しい (hoshii) - adjective meaning "to want"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence