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:

私は新しいバッグを買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii baggu o kaitai desu

I want to buy a new bag.

I want to buy a new bag.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• バッグ (baggu) - noun that means "bag" or "suitcase"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the form of desire that means "want to buy"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the formality and courtesy of the sentence

私は教習所で運転を学んでいます。

Watashi wa kyōshūjo de unten o manande imasu

I'm learning to drive at driving school.

I'm studying driving at the driving school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 教習所 (kyōshūjo) - Driving school
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 運転 (unten) - driving, drive
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 学んでいます (manandeimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

私は惨めな気持ちになります。

Watashi wa mijime na kimochi ni narimasu

I feel miserable.

I feel miserable.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 惨めな (mijime na) - adjective meaning "miserable"
• 気持ち (kimochi) - noun meaning "feeling"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of the action
• なります (narimasu) - verb meaning "to become"

私は産休を取ります。

Watashi wa sankyu wo torimasu

I'm going to take maternity leave.

I take maternity leave.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 産休 (sankyuu) - noun that means "maternity leave"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 取ります (torimasu) - verb that means "to take" or "to take a leave"

私は海に潜るのが好きです。

Watashi wa umi ni moguru no ga suki desu

I like diving in the sea.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 海 (umi) - noun that means "sea"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
• 潜る (moguru) - "Verb that means 'dive'"
• のが (no ga) - particle indicating that the sentence is an expression of taste or preference
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the formality and politeness of the sentence

私は毎日歌うことが好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi utau koto ga suki desu

I like to sing every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 歌う (utau) - verb meaning "to sing"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は毎日コンピューターを使います。

Watashi wa mainichi konpyuutaa o tsukaimasu

I use the computer every day.

I use a computer every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• コンピューター (konpyuutaa) - noun that means "computer"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 使います (tsukaimasu) - verb that means "to use"

私は日本語を教えることができます。

Watashi wa nihongo wo oshieru koto ga dekimasu

I can teach Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 教える (oshieru) - verb that means "teach"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates the ability or possibility of doing something

私は長時間働いた後にはばてる。

Watashi wa choujikan hataraita ato ni wa bateru

I get exhausted after working for a long time.

After working for a long time.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 長時間 (choujikan) - noun meaning "long period of time"
• 働いた (hataraita) - past tense verb meaning "I worked"
• 後に (ato ni) - expression meaning "after"
• はばてる (habateru) - verb meaning "to be exhausted"

私は部屋を整理する必要があります。

Watashi wa heya wo seiri suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to organize my room.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 部屋 (heya) - noun that means "room"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 整理する (seiri suru) - Composite verb meaning "organize"
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Expression that means "it is necessary"