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:

私のズボンは青色です。

Watashi no zubon wa aoiro desu

My pants are blue.

My pants are blue.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "mine"
• ズボン (zubon) - noun meaning "trousers"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "pants"
• 青色 (aoiro) - noun meaning "blue color"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私の伯父はとても親切です。

Watashi no oji wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My uncle is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 伯父 (oji) - noun meaning "paternal uncle"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" in Portuguese
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 親切 (shinsetsu) - adjective meaning "kind", "gentle"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the existence or quality of the subject, equivalent to "ser" or "estar" in Portuguese

私の領地は広大です。

Watashi no ryōchi wa kōdai desu

My territory is vast.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "mine"
• 領地 (ryouchi) - Noun that means "territory"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 広大 (koudai) - Adjective that means "vast/widely extensive"
• です (desu) - verb ser/estar in the polite and formal form

私の姪はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no mei wa totemo kawaii desu

My niece is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 姪 (mei) - noun that means "niece"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "niece"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私の靴は新しいです。

Watashi no kutsu wa atarashii desu

My shoes are new.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 靴 (kutsu) - noun meaning "shoe"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the shoes"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating existence or state, in this case, "are"

私の財布は空っぽです。

Watashi no saifu wa karappo desu

My wallet is empty.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 財布 (saifu) - noun that means "wallet"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the wallet"
• 空っぽ (karappo) - adjective that means "empty"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, in this case, "is"

私の親父はとても頑固です。

Watashi no oyaji wa totemo ganko desu

My father is very stubborn.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 親父 (oyaji) - noun that means "father"
• は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "father"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 頑固 (ganko) - adjective meaning "stubborn"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating present tense and formality, in this case "is"

私の嫁はとても美しいです。

Watashi no yome wa totemo utsukushii desu

My wife is very beautiful.

My bride is very beautiful.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "my"
• 嫁 (yome) - "the wife"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my wife"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of speaking, in this case "is"

私はこの会社で勤めています。

Watashi wa kono kaisha de tsutomete imasu

I work at this company.

I work for this company.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• 会社 (kaisha) - noun meaning "company"
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action takes place, in this case "in the company"
• 勤めています (tsutomete imasu) - verb meaning "to work" in the present continuous tense

私はあなたにこの本を勧めます。

Watashi wa anata ni kono hon o susumeru

I recommend this book to you.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case "to"
• この (kono) - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, in this case "book"
• 勧めます (susumemasu) - verb meaning "recommend"