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:

新しい未来を迎える。

Atarashii mirai wo mukaeru

Receive a new future.

A new future.

• 新しい (Atarashii) - new
• 未来 (Mirai) - future
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 迎える (Mukaeru) - receber, acolher

新人は新鮮なエネルギーをもたらします。

Shinjin wa shinsen na enerugī o motarasimasu

The newborn bring new energy.

• 新人 (shinjin) - new member
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 新鮮な (shinsen na) - Fresh, new
• エネルギー (enerugī) - energy
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• もたらします (motarashimasu) - bring, provide

新しい始まりがある。

Atarashii hajimari ga aru

There is a new beginning.

• 新しい - means "new" in Japanese.
• 始まり - It means "beginning" or "start" in Japanese.
• が - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - means "to exist" or "to be" in Japanese.

新幹線はとても速いです。

Shinkansen wa totemo hayai desu

The Shinkansen is very fast.

• 新幹線 - Shinkansen (bullet train)
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 速い - fast
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

新入生は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Shinnyūsei wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

New students can take time to get used to a new environment.

• 新入生 - "new students"
• は - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "new students".
• 新しい - means "new" in Japanese.
• 環境 - It means "environment" in Japanese.
• に - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to" the new environment.
• 慣れる - It means "to get used to" in Japanese.
• のに - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a condition or a reason, in this case "to" get used to the new environment.
• 時間 - "tempo" means "time" in Japanese.
• がかかる - it's a Japanese expression that means "to take time" or "to be necessary time".
• こと - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an action or an event, in this case "to take time".
• あります - It is a polite way to say "there is" or "there are" in Japanese.

新興国の経済成長は驚くべきものです。

Shinkōkoku no keizai seichō wa odoroku beki mono desu

The economic growth of emerging countries is surprising.

• 新興国 - developing country
• の - Possession particle
• 経済成長 - Crescimento econômico
• は - Topic particle
• 驚くべき - surprising
• もの - thing
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

新聞を読むのが好きです。

Shinbun wo yomu no ga suki desu

I like to read newspapers.

• 新聞 - means "newspaper" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 読む - verb meaning "to read" in Japanese
• のが - particle indicating a nominal phrase in Japanese
• 好き - adjective meaning "to like" in Japanese
• です - verb to be in Japanese

新鮮な魚を食べたいです。

Shinsen na sakana o tabetai desu

I want to eat fresh fish.

• 新鮮な (shinsen na) - fresco
• 魚 (sakana) - fish
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 食べたい (tabetai) - want to eat
• です (desu) - Sentence-ending particle

次々に新しいアイデアを出していく。

Tsugitsugi ni atarashii aidea wo dashite iku

We will give new ideas one after another.

• 次々に - adverb that indicates a consecutive action, one after the other;
• 新しい - adjective meaning "new";
• アイデア - noun meaning "idea";
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence;
• 出していく - compound verb meaning "to launch, present" and "to continue doing something in the future."

活字を使って新聞を作ります。

Katsuji wo tsukatte shinbun wo tsukurimasu

Make a newspaper using impressions.

• 活字 - movable metal characters used in printing
• を - object particle
• 使って - conjugated form of the verb "tsukatte", meaning "to use"
• 新聞 - newspaper
• を - object particle
• 作ります - conjugated form of the verb "tsukurimasu", meaning "to do"