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:

私は友達からプレゼントを貰う予定です。

Watashi wa tomodachi kara purezento o morau yotei desu

I have plans to receive a gift from a friend.

I plan to get a gift from a friend.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - Japanese noun meaning "friend"
• から (kara) - particle indicating the origin or starting point, in this case "from"
• プレゼント (purezento) - Japanese noun meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the target of the action, in this case "present"
• 貰う (morau) - Japanese verb meaning "to receive"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は今すぐ出る必要があります。

Watashi wa ima sugu deru hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to leave right now.

I need to leave now.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 今 (ima) - adverb meaning "now"
• すぐ (sugu) - adverb meaning "immediately"
• 出る (deru) - verb meaning "to leave"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - noun meaning "need"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have", in this case "I have"

私はその方面に詳しいです。

Watashi wa sono houmen ni kuwashii desu

I am an expert in this area.

I am familiar with this area.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
• 方面 (hōmen) - a Japanese noun that means "area," "field," or "domain"
• に (ni) - destination particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 詳しい (kuwashii) - Japanese adjective that means "detailed," "precise," or "well-informed."
• です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese that indicates existence or quality, in this case "is"

私は料理が得意です。

Watashi wa ryōri ga tokui desu

I am good at cooking.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 料理 (ryouri) - Japanese noun meaning "cooking" or "culinary"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "cooking" or "culinary"
• 得意 (tokui) - Japanese adjective that means "to be good at", "to have skill in" or "to be a specialist in"
• です (desu) - Japanese linking verb indicating present tense and formality, in this case "I'm good at cooking"

私は所有物に執着しない。

Watashi wa shoyūbutsu ni shūchaku shinai

I am not attached to my material goods.

I don't keep the property.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 所有物 (shoyuu-butsu) - Japanese noun meaning "property, belongings"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 執着 (shuuchaku) - Japanese noun meaning "attachment, fixation"
• しない (shinai) - negative form of the Japanese verb "suru" which means "to do", in this case "not do"

私は明日までにそのイベントに申し込むつもりです。

Watashi wa ashita made ni sono ibento ni moushikomu tsumori desu

I plan to register for this event by tomorrow.

I will register for the event by tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese noun meaning "tomorrow"
• までに (made ni) - expression indicating a deadline or time limit, in this case, "until"
• その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
• イベント (ibento) - Japanese noun meaning "event"
• に (ni) - particle indicating action or destination, in this case "to"
• 申し込む (moushikomu) - Japanese verb meaning "to sign up"
• つもりです (tsumori desu) - expression that indicates intention or plan, in this case, "pretendo"

私は自分自身を篭って考える時間が必要です。

Watashi wa jibun jishin o komotte kangaeru jikan ga hitsuyōdesu

I need time to collect myself and think.

I need time to think and think about myself.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - expression meaning "oneself"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 篭って (kagotte) - gerund verb meaning "to be isolated"
• 考える (kangaeru) - verb meaning "to think"
• 時間 (jikan) - noun meaning "time"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私は指を捩りました。

Watashi wa yubi o nejirimashita

I crooked my finger.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 指 (yubi) - Japanese noun that means "finger"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 捩りました (nejirimashita) - Japanese verb that means "to twist".

私はあなたの質問に答えることができますか？

Watashi wa anata no shitsumon ni kotaeru koto ga dekimasu ka?

Can I answer your question?

Can I answer your question?

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 質問 (shitsumon) - Japanese noun meaning "question"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the target of the action
• 答える (kotaeru) - Japanese verb meaning "to answer"
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できますか (dekimasu ka) - Japanese expression meaning "is it possible?" or "can you?"

私はあなたの承諾を得たいです。

Watashi wa anata no shoudaku o etai desu

I would like to get your approval.

I want to get your consent.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• の (no) - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship between two things
• 承諾 (shoudaku) - substantivo japanese que significa "consentimento" ou "aprovação"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 得たい (etaitai) - verbo japanese que significa "querer obter"
• です (desu) - verbo auxiliar japanese que indica a forma educada ou respeitosa da frase