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:

私は我がままです。

Watashi wa wagamama desu

I am selfish.

I am myself.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 我がまま (wagamama) - an expression that means "selfish" or "capricious" in Japanese
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and the present tense of the sentence

私は車を追い越すことができます。

Watashi wa kuruma wo oikosu koto ga dekimasu

I can overtake a car.

I can overtake the car.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 車 (kuruma) - noun that means "car" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 追い越す (oikosu) - verb that means "to surpass" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• できます (dekimasu) - verb that means "to be able to" or "to be capable of" in Japanese

私はその仕事に勤まると思います。

Watashi wa sono shigoto ni tsutsumaru to omoimasu

I believe I can do this work.

I think I'm going to work for this work.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• その (sono) - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 仕事 (shigoto) - noun that means "work"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the function or the destination of an action
• 勤まる (tsutsumaru) - verb that means "to be able to do" or "to be suitable for"
• と (to) - particle that indicates the direct quotation of a phrase or thought
• 思います (omoimasu) - verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"

私の膝は痛いです。

Watashi no hiza wa itai desu

My knee hurts.

My knee hurts.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle of possession, which indicates that "膝" (hiza) belongs to "私" (watashi)
• 膝 (hiza) - noun meaning "knee"
• は (wa) - topic particle, which indicates that "膝" (hiza) is the subject of the sentence
• 痛い (itai) - adjective meaning "sore" or "sick"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates that the sentence is in the present tense and is polite

私の気持ちは尖っています。

Watashi no kimochi wa togaratte imasu

My feelings are sharp.

My feelings are clear.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle of possession, which indicates that "watashi" is the possessor of something
• 気持ち (kimochi) - noun meaning "feeling" or "emotion"
• は (wa) - thematic particle, which indicates that "kimochi" is the subject of the sentence
• 尖っています (togatte imasu) - compound verb meaning "to be sharp" or "to be pointed"

私の鼻は大きいです。

Watashi no hana wa ookii desu

My nose is big.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "鼻" (hana) is "mine"
• 鼻 (hana) - noun that means "nose"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates that "鼻" is the topic of the sentence
• 大きい (ookii) - adjective meaning "big"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, "is"

私にはお金が要る。

Watashi ni wa okane ga iru

I need money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for me"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 要る (iru) - verb that means "to need"

私の学校はとてもきれいです。

Watashi no gakkou wa totemo kirei desu

My school is very beautiful.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" or "mine"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 学校 (gakkou) - noun meaning "school"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the school"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• きれい (kirei) - adjective that means "pretty" or "clean"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal way of speaking, in this case "is"

私の伯母はとても優しい人です。

Watashi no oba wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My aunt is a very kind person.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 伯母 (obasan) - noun that means "aunt" (sister of the father or mother)
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• 人 (hito) - noun that means "person"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

私の専攻は心理学です。

Watashi no senkou wa shinrigaku desu

My major is psychology.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or a relationship between two things, in this case, "my"
• 専攻 (senkou) - noun meaning "specialization" or "main field of study"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case, "regarding my field of study"
• 心理学 (shinrigaku) - noun meaning "psychology"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating existence or identity, in this case "is"