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:

私は自分の人生を変えることができます。

Watashi wa jibun no jinsei o kaeru koto ga dekimasu

I can change my own life.

I can change my life.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 自分 (jibun) - Japanese reflexive pronoun that means "to oneself."
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my".
• 人生 (jinsei) - 生活 (seikatsu)
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "vida".
• 変える (kaeru) - Japanese verb that means "to change"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that indicates an action or event, in this case, "to change."
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• できます (dekimasu) - できる (dekiru)

私は新しい提案を考えています。

Watashi wa atarashii teian o kangaeteimasu

I'm thinking of a new proposal.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• 提案 (teian) - Japanese noun meaning "proposal"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "proposal"
• 考えています (kangaeteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "I'm thinking"

私はその仕事を辞退した。

Watashi wa sono shigoto wo jitai shita

I turned down that job.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic 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。
• 仕事 (shigoto) - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "work".
• 辞退した (jitai shita) - Japanese verb that means "to refuse" or "to decline," conjugated in the past.

私は学士の学位を持っています。

Watashi wa gakushi no gakui o motte imasu

I have a bachelor's degree.

I have a bachelor degree.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 学士 (gakushi) - Japanese noun that means "bachelor."
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession or relationship between nouns
• 学位 (gakui) - Japanese noun meaning "academic degree"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 持っています (motteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to have" or "to possess" in the present continuous tense

私は壁に凭れる。

Watashi wa kabe ni yoreru

I support myself on the wall.

I enter the wall.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 壁 (kabe) - Japanese noun meaning "wall"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the location of the action
• 凭れる (kabureru) - Japanese verb meaning "to lean against"

私は困難な状況に耐えることができます。

Watashi wa konnan na joukyou ni taeru koto ga dekimasu

I can withstand difficult situations.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 困難な (konnan na) - Japanese adjective meaning "difficult"
• 状況 (joukyou) - Japanese noun that means "situation"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the grammatical function of "place" or "time."
• 耐える (taeru) - Japanese verb that means "to endure" or "to hold on."
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - Japanese expression meaning "to be able to"

私はこのフォームを完全に埋めることができます。

Watashi wa kono fōmu o kanzen ni umeru koto ga dekimasu

I can completely fill out this form.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• この (kono) - Japanese adjective that means "this"
• フォーム (fōmu) - formulário
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 完全に (kanzen ni) - Japanese adverb that means "completely."
• 埋める (umeru) - Japanese verb that means "to fill"
• 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 (dekimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to be able to"

私はこの問題を調べる必要があります。

Watashi wa kono mondai o shiraberu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to investigate this problem.

I need to figure this problem out.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• この (kono) - Japanese demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• 問題 (mondai) - Japanese noun that means "problem"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 調べる (shiraberu) - Japanese verb that means "to investigate" or "to research."
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese noun that means "necessity" or "essential"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to exist" or "there is"

私は花を嗅いでいると幸せな気分になります。

Watashi wa hana o kagu to shiawase na kibun ni narimasu

When smelling flowers

I feel happy when I smell the flowers.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 花 (hana) - Japanese noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 嗅いでいる (kaideiru) - Japanese verb meaning "to smell" in the present continuous tense
• と (to) - Japanese particle indicating the consequence or result of the previous action
• 幸せな (shiawasena) - Japanese adjective meaning "happy"
• 気分 (kibun) - Japanese noun meaning "state of mind"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the direction or target of the action
• なります (narimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to become" in the formal present tense

私は秘密を隠すことができます。

Watashi wa himitsu wo kakusu koto ga dekimasu

I can hide secrets.

I can hide the secret.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 秘密 (himitsu) - Japanese noun meaning "secret"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 隠す (kakusu) - Japanese verb meaning "to hide"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - Japanese expression meaning "to be able to"