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:

私は余暇に読書をするのが好きです。

Watashi wa yoka ni dokusho wo suru no ga suki desu

I like to read during my free time.

I like to read my leisure.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 余暇 (yoka) - noun that means "free time"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the time in which the action occurs, in this case "during free time"
• 読書 (dokusho) - noun that means "reading"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "reading"
• する (suru) - verb that means "to do"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the nominal subject function of the sentence, in this case "to read"
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and affirmative form of the sentence

私は誇りを持っています。

Watashi wa hokori o motteimasu

I am proud.

I'm proud.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 誇り (hokori) - noun meaning "pride"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating that "pride" is the direct object of the sentence
• 持っています (motteimasu) - verb that means "to have" or "to own", conjugated in the affirmative present

私は眼科に行く必要があります。

Watashi wa ganka ni iku hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to go to the ophthalmologist.

I need to go to ophthalmology.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 眼科 (ganka) - noun that means "ophthalmology"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates destination or location, in this case, "to" or "in"
• 行く (iku) - verb meaning "to go"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have," in the sense of "to need"

私は友達を連れて行きます。

Watashi wa tomodachi o tsurete ikimasu

I will take my friend together.

I take my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 連れて行きます (tsurete ikimasu) - verb meaning "to take along" or "to accompany", conjugated in the present/future polite tense

私は道場で空手を習っています。

Watashi wa dōjō de karate o naratteimasu

I am learning karate in Dojo.

I'm learning karate in Dojo.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 道場 (doujou) - noun that means "dojo," a place for martial arts training
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the place where an action occurs
• 空手 (karate) - noun meaning "karate", a Japanese martial art
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 習っています (naratteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

私は図書館から本を借りました。

Watashi wa toshokan kara hon o karimashita

I borrowed a book from the library.

I borrowed a book from the library.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 図書館 (toshokan) - noun meaning "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - grammatical particle that indicates origin or starting point
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 借りました (karimashita) - "borrowed"

私はドアをノックしました。

Watashi wa doa wo nokku shimashita

I knocked on the door.

I knocked on the door.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ドア (doa) - noun meaning "door"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• ノック (nokku) - verb meaning "to knock" or "to touch" (on the door)
• しました (shimashita) - conjugation of the verb "suru" in the past tense, indicating that the action was completed

私は公園で落ちていたゴミを拾いました。

Watashi wa kōen de ochite ita gomi o hiroimashita

I picked up the litter that was on the ground in the park.

I picked up the trash that had fallen in the park.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• で (de) - a grammatical particle that indicates the place where the action took place, in this case, "in the park"
• 落ちていた (ochiteita) - verb in the past continuous that means "was fallen"
• ゴミ (gomi) - The noun that means "garbage" is "lixo".
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the trash"
• 拾いました (hiroi mashita) - The verb in the past that means "I took"

私はこのプロジェクトの担当者です。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto no tantōsha desu

I am responsible for this project.

I am the person in charge of this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - katakana word meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the project"
• 担当者 (tantousha) - noun that means "responsible" or "in charge"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates to be, in this case "I am" or "I am"

私はげっそりと疲れています。

Watashi wa gessori to tsukarete imasu

I'm exhausted

I am tired.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• げっそり (gessori) - adverb meaning "exhausted"
• と (to) - particle indicating the connection between "exhausted" and "tired"
• 疲れています (tsukareteimasu) - verb meaning "to be tired"