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:

私は郊外での散歩が好きです。

Watashi wa kōgai de no sanpo ga suki desu

I like to walk around the city.

I like to walk in the suburbs.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 郊外 (kōgai) - Noun that means "suburb"
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 散歩 (sanpo) - noun that means "walk"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は自分の家具を造ることができます。

Watashi wa jibun no kagu o tsukuru koto ga dekimasu

I can make my own furniture.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun meaning "myself"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that something belongs to someone
• 家具 (kagu) - noun that means "furniture"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 造る (tsukuru) - verb that means "to do" or "to build"
• 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 meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は登山が大好きです。

Watashi wa tozan ga daisuki desu

I love to make trails.

I love climbing.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 登山 (tozan) - noun that means "mountain climbing"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大好き (daisuki) - adjective that means "to like a lot"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は彼女を計画に含めた。

Watashi wa kanojo o keikaku ni fukumeru

I included her in the plan.

I included her in the plan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating that "she" is the direct object of the action
• 計画 (keikaku) - noun that means "plan"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action directed toward a target or objective, in this case, "include in the plan"
• 含めた (hazumeta) - included

私は会社の代表です。

Watashi wa kaisha no daihyō desu

I am the representative of the company.

I am a representative of the company.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 会社 (kaisha) - noun meaning "company"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "empresa" belongs to "eu"
• 代表 (daihyou) - noun that means "representative"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal way of saying "to be" or "to stay"

私は餃子を固めるのが得意です。

Watashi wa gyoza wo katameru no ga tokui desu

I am good at making Gyoza very firm.

I am good at hardening Gyoza.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 餃子 (gyouza) - word meaning "guioza", a type of Japanese food
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 固める (katameru) - verb meaning "to squeeze" or "to compact"
• の (no) - possession particle indicating that the skill described belongs to the subject of the sentence
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating that the subject is the one who possesses the skill described
• 得意 (tokui) - adjective meaning "good at" or "skilled at"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative

私はアルバムを集めるのが好きです。

Watashi wa arubamu o atsumeru no ga suki desu

I like to collect albums.

I like to collect albums.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• アルバム (arubamu) - noun meaning "album"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case "album"
• 集める (atsumeru) - verb meaning "to collect"
• のが (noga) - particle indicating the function of a nominal subject, in this case "collect"
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal way of expressing a statement

私は二十歳です。

Watashi wa nijūsai desu

I am 20 years old.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates what is being talked about
• 二十 (ni juu) - number meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - unit of age meaning "years"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私は毎日テニスを打つ。

Watashi wa mainichi tenisu o utsu

I play tennis every day.

I hit tennis every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• テニス (tenisu) - noun meaning "sneakers"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating that "tennis" is the object of the action
• 打つ (utsu) - verb meaning "to play" or "to hit" in the context of playing tennis

私は高等学校に通っています。

Watashi wa kōtōgakkō ni kayotte imasu

I am attending high school.

I'm going to high school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 高等学校 (koutou gakkou) - The noun that means "high school".
• に (ni) - grammatical particle that indicates the direction or purpose of the action, in this case "to go to"
• 通っています (kayotteimasu) - The verb that means "to be attending" in the polite present continuous form is "通っています" (している, shite iru) for informal contexts.