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:

私はまだ自分の人生の方向性を模索しています。

Watashi wa mada jibun no jinsei no hōkōsei o mosaku shite imasu

I'm still looking for the direction of my life.

I'm still looking for the direction of my life.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• まだ (mada) - adverb meaning "yet"
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun meaning "myself"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating a relationship of ownership
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• の (no) - connecting particle linking "life" with "方向性"
• 方向性 (hōkōsei) - noun meaning "direction" or "orientation"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 模索しています (mosaku shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "to search" or "to explore"

私はデザインにこだわる。

Watashi wa dezain ni kodawaru

I am demanding with the design.

I maintain the design.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• デザイン (dezain) - Japanese word meaning "design"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of the action
• こだわる (kodawaru) - Japanese verb meaning "to be demanding" or "to be careful with"

私はぐっすり眠っていました。

Watashi wa gussuri nemutte imashita

I was sleeping deeply.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ぐっすり (gussuri) - adverb meaning "deeply" or "well slept"
• 眠っていました (nemutte imashita) - compound verb meaning "was sleeping"

私は明日の会議で計画を述べる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita no kaigi de keikaku o noberu yotei desu

I plan to present the plan at tomorrow's meeting.

I intend to make a plan at tomorrow's meeting.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "tomorrow" belongs to "meeting"
• 会議 (kaigi) - Japanese noun meaning "meeting"
• で (de) - location particle that indicates where the action will take place
• 計画 (keikaku) - Japanese noun meaning "plan"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates what will be mentioned
• 述べる (noberu) - Japanese verb meaning "to mention"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "programming" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, which indicates the conclusion of the sentence

私は明日の試験のために勉強をするつもりです。

Watashi wa ashita no shiken no tame ni benkyou wo suru tsumori desu

I intend to study for the exam tomorrow.

I will study for the exam tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "tomorrow" belongs to the following noun
• 試験 (shiken) - Japanese noun that means "exam"
• ために (tameni) - Japanese expression that means "for"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - 日本語の名詞で「研究」を意味するのは「勉強」（べんきょう）です。
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the noun that receives the action of the verb
• する (suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to do"
• つもり (tsumori) - Japanese expression that means "to intend"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は新しい仕事に就くことを決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii shigoto ni tsuku koto o kimemashita

I decided to take on a new job.

I decided to get a new job.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• 仕事 (shigoto) - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
• 就く (tsuku) - Japanese verb that means "to assume" or "to start"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that indicates an action or event
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb in the past that means "decided"

私は彼女の未来について危ぶんでいる。

Watashi wa kanojo no mirai ni tsuite ayamubun de iru

I'm worried about her future.

I'm in danger of your future.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese noun that means "girlfriend" or "she"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "未来" (mirai) belongs to "彼女" (kanojo)
• 未来 (mirai) - Japanese noun that means "future"
• について (ni tsuite) - expression that indicates the theme or subject of the sentence, in this case, "未来" (mirai)
• 危ぶんでいる (ayamanden iru) - Japanese verb that means "to be worried" or "to be anxious"

私は彼女の手を私の手にくっ付けた。

Watashi wa kanojo no te wo watashi no te ni kutsuketa

I clasped her hand in mine.

I put her hand in mine.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "she"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates the relationship of possession or belonging
• 手 (te) - Japanese noun meaning "hand"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates the relationship of possession or belonging
• 手 (te) - Japanese noun meaning "hand"
• に (ni) - destination particle that indicates the place or person to which the action is directed
• くっ付けた (kutsuketa) - Japanese verb in the past that means "to join" or "to stick."

私は留学する予定です。

Watashi wa ryūgaku suru yotei desu

I plan to study abroad.

I intend to study abroad.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 留学 (ryuugaku) - Japanese noun meaning "study abroad"
• する (suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to do"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は毎週ゼミに参加しています。

Watashi wa maishuu zemi ni sanka shiteimasu

I participate in the seminar every week.

I participate in the seminar every week.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎週 (maishuu) - Japanese adverb meaning "every week"
• ゼミ (zemi) - Japanese noun meaning "seminar"
• に (ni) - particle indicating a directing action or destination
• 参加しています (sanka shiteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to participate" and conjugated in the present continuous tense