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:

私の部屋はとてもきれいです。

Watashi no heya wa totemo kirei desu

My room is very clean.

My room is very beautiful.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 部屋 (heya) - noun that means "room"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "room"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• きれい (kirei) - adjective meaning "beautiful, clean"
• です (desu) - verb that indicates to be or to exist, in this case, "is"

私の祖母は健在です。

Watashi no sobo wa kenzen desu

My grandmother is in good health.

My grandmother is alive.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 祖母 (sobo) - "Grandfather"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my grandmother"
• 健在 (kenzai) - Adjective that means "to be in good health".
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私の従姉妹はとても美しいです。

Watashi no jōshimai wa totemo utsukushii desu

My cousin is very beautiful.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 従姉妹 (joushimai) - noun meaning "second cousin"
• は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my second cousin"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私はお金の遣い方を学ぶ必要がある。

Watashi wa okane no tsukai kata o manabu hitsuyō ga aru

I need to learn the way to use money.

I need to learn how to spend money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 遣い方 (tsukaikata) - noun that means "way of using/spending"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 学ぶ (manabu) - verb that means "to learn"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある (aru) - verb that means "to exist/to be present"

私は眼鏡を掛ける必要があります。

Watashi wa megane wo kakeru hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to wear glasses.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 眼鏡 (megane) - glasses
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "glasses"
• 掛ける (kakeru) - verb that means "to put on" or "to wear" in the context of glasses
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating the subject of the action, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have" or "to exist" in the sense of possessing something

私は本を刷ります。

Watashi wa hon o surimasu

I print books.

I print a book.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "book"
• 刷ります (suraimasu) - verb that means "to print"

私は大学院に進学したいです。

Watashi wa daigakuin ni shingaku shitai desu

I want to enter graduate school.

I want to go to graduate school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 大学院 (daigakuin) - compound word that means "postgraduate"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or purpose of an action, in this case "for"
• 進学 (shingaku) - composite word that means "advance in studies", in this case "go to graduate school"
• したい (shitai) - form of the verb "to want", in this case "I want"
• です (desu) - particle of completion that indicates a formal or polite statement

私は会社で働いています。

Watashi wa kaisha de hataraite imasu

I work at a company.

I work at the company.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 会社 (kaisha) - noun meaning "company"
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action occurs, in this case "at the company"
• 働いています (hataraitteimasu) - verb that means "to work" in the present continuous, indicating that the action is ongoing

私はレストランで給仕をしています。

Watashi wa resutoran de kyuji o shiteimasu

I work as a waiter in a restaurant.

I serve in a restaurant.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• レストラン (resutoran) - word in Japanese that means "restaurant"
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 給仕 (kyuushi) - The word in Japanese that means "waiter/waitress" is ウェイター (weitaa) for waiter and ウェイトレス (weitoresu) for waitress.
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• しています (shiteimasu) - verb that indicates the action of "being doing" something in the present moment

私はよく物を無くす。

Watashi wa yoku mono o nakusu

I usually lose things often.

I often lose things.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• よく (yoku) - adverb that means "frequently" or "well"
• 物 (mono) - noun meaning "thing" or "object"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 無くす (nakusu) - verb that means "to lose" or "to misplace"