Translation and Meaning of: 私 - atashi

If you are learning Japanese, you have probably already come across the word I You may wonder: why are there so many ways to say "I" in this language? This variation, mainly used by women, carries cultural and historical nuances that make it special. In this article, we will explore its etymology, the pictogram kanji, how it is used in daily life, and even tips for memorizing it. If you want to understand the origin of this expression or how to apply it in sentences to study in Anki, keep reading!

In the largest Japanese dictionary, Suki Nihongo, you will find details about writing, practical examples, and even curiosities that go beyond the basics. Here, we will uncover everything from the stroke order of kanji to the reason why あたし it's smoother than other first-person forms. Want to find out why this word is so popular and how to use it without sounding like an anime character? Let's go!

Etymology and Origin of 私 [あたし]

The word I there is an interesting story. Originally, the kanji 私 it was read as わたくし, a formal way to say "I". Over time, the pronunciation has changed in colloquial language, especially among women, until it reached the あたし what we know today. This evolution reflects the tendency of Japanese to shorten and soften expressions in everyday life.

The kanji itself is composed of the radical. ⽲ (rice ear) and ⼛ (particular), suggesting something personal or intimate. No wonder, あたし conveys a more delicate and informal feeling, different from わたし Please provide the text you'd like me to translate. ホクIf you've ever heard a female character in a dorama using this form, now you know why!

Use and Popularity in Modern Japanese

While わたし it is neutral and can be used by anyone in formal situations, あたし It is almost exclusively feminine and sounds more casual. You will hardly hear a man using this variation, unless he is playing a role or joking. In groups of friends or informal conversations, many women opt for it precisely because it conveys a more relaxed image.

It's worth noting that, although common, あたし is not the best choice in professional environments or when speaking with superiors. In these cases, the classic わたし still dominates. A tip? Pay attention to how the female characters in series and manga use this word — it's a great way to get the right context!

Tips for Memorizing and Applying

To solidify I, try associating it with everyday situations. Imagine a friend telling a story: "I watched a movie yesterday!" ("I watched a movie yesterday!"). The softer sound helps to differentiate it from other forms. Another strategy is to create flashcards on Anki with real examples, such as dialogues from doramas or J-pop songs that use this expression.

How about a pun you'll never forget? Think of "I'm not me." ("I am not 'watashi'"). Playing with the differences in pronunciations can be fun and effective. Finally, note: if you are a man, avoid using. あたし unless you are interpreting something — otherwise, it may sound strange to natives. Women, take advantage of the naturalness that this word brings!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• わたし (watashi) - I (neutral use, by a woman)
• 僕 (boku) - I (neutral use, usually by men)
• 俺 (ore) - I (informal, masculine)
• 自分 (jibun) - I (reflexive form)
• あたし (atashi) - I (informal, female use)
• うち (uchi) - I (feminine use, colloquial in some regions)
• わたくし (watakushi) - I (formal use)
• おれ (ore) - I (informal use, masculine, variant of 俺)
• おいら (oira) - I (informal use, often in contexts of friends or groups)
• わし (washi) - I (regional usage, typically by elderly men)
• あたい (atai) - I (female, informal, with a connotation of humility)
• あたくし (atakushi) - I (female, formal)
• じぶん (jibun) - I (reflexive form, like 自分)
• てまえ (temae) - I (a way to refer to oneself, usually in formal situations)
• うちら (uchira) - We (informal)
• がくせい (gakusei) - student
• がくしゃ (gakusha) - Scholar, researcher
• がくちょう (gakuchou) - Academic director
• がくれき (gakureki) - Academic transcript
• がくりょくしゃ (gakuryokusha) - Academic specialist
• がくぶ (gakubu) - University, academic department
• がくほう (gakuha) - Academic direction
• がくしゅう (gakushuu) - Learning, study
• がくしょく (gakushoku) - School meals, meals for students
• がくしょう (gakushou) - Academic recognition, award
• がくそう (gakusou) - Academic courses, study plans
• がくもん (gakumon) - Knowledge construction, academia
• がくせん (gakusen) - Education line, academic line

私

Romaji: atashi
Kana: あたし
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: I

Meaning in English: I (fem)

Definition: Someone who exposes themselves.

Example Sentences - (私) atashi

See below some example sentences:

私の婿はとても優しいです。

Watashi no muko wa totemo yasashii desu

My son-in-law is very kind.

My son - - -LAW is very kind.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 婿 - noun meaning "son-in-law"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the son-in-law"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "gentle, kind"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

私の役職はマネージャーです。

Watashi no yakushoku wa manējā desu

My position is manager.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 役職 - noun meaning "office" or "position"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "is"
• マネージャー - noun meaning "manager"
• です - verb that indicates to be or to exist, equivalent to "is"

私の出身は東京です。

Watashi no shusshin wa Tokyo desu

My hometown is Tokyo.

I'm from Tokyo.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 出身 - noun that means "place of origin"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 東京 - noun meaning "Tokyo"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は浜辺で泳ぐのが好きです。

Watashi wa hamabe de oyogu no ga suki desu

I like to swim on the beach.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 浜辺 (hamabe) - Japanese noun meaning "beach"
• で (de) - Location indicating where the action takes place, in this case "na praia"
• 泳ぐ (oyogu) - Japanese verb that means "to swim"
• のが (noga) - Title indicating a preference, in this case "I like to swim"
• 好き (suki) - Japanese adjective that means "like"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence, in this case "eu gosto de nadar na praia"

私は彼女を呼び出す必要があります。

Watashi wa kanojo o yobidasu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to call her.

I need to call her.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "she"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "her"
• 呼び出す (yobidasu) - Japanese verb that means "to call"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating the subject of the action, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "have", used to indicate the existence of something

私は犬を可愛がる。

Watashi wa inu wo kawaigaru

I lovingly take care of my dog.

I love my dog.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle that indicates the main subject of the sentence.
• 犬 (inu) - Japanese noun that means "dog"
• を (wo) - Japanese object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 可愛がる (kawaigaru) - Japanese verb that means "to love", "to care" or "to pamper"

私は小遣いを節約する必要があります。

Watashi wa kozukai o setsuyaku suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to save my pocket money.

I need to save pocket money.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• 小遣い (kodzukai) - Japanese noun meaning "allowance" or "pocket money"
• を (wo) - Japanese object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 節約する (setsuyaku suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to save"
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Japanese expression meaning "it is necessary"

私の心にはいつも幸せが浮かびます。

Watashi no kokoro ni wa itsumo shiawase ga ukabimasu

Happiness always comes to my heart.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship between two words
• 心 (kokoro) - Japanese noun meaning "heart" or "mind"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating action or direction
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• いつも (itsumo) - Japanese adverb meaning "always"
• 幸せ (shiawase) - Japanese noun meaning "happiness"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 浮かびます (ukabimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to float" or "to come to mind" in the present tense and polite

私は古い靴を新しいものと替えました。

Watashi wa furui kutsu o atarashii mono to kaemashita

I changed my old shoes for new ones.

I changed old shoes with new ones.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 古い (furui) - Japanese adjective meaning "old"
• 靴 (kutsu) - Japanese noun meaning "shoe"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• もの (mono) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• と (to) - particle indicating joint action, in this case, changing shoes
• 替えました (kaemashita) - Japanese verb meaning "changed"

私は友達の飲み代を立て替えた。

Watashi wa tomodachi no nomidai wo tatekaereta

I paid my friend's drinks bill.

I changed my friend's drink.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 友達 (tomodachi) - Japanese noun meaning "friend"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that the friend is the owner of the action
• 飲み代 (nomidai) - Japanese noun that means "drinks bill"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 立て替えた (tatekaeta) - Japanese verb in the past that means "to advance the money."