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:

私はショップで新しい衣服を買いました。

Watashi wa shoppu de atarashii ifuku o kaimashita

I bought new clothes in the store.

I bought new clothes in the store.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• ショップ (shoppu) - Japanese word meaning "store"
• で (de) - Subtitle indicating the location where the action took place, in this case, "na loja"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• 衣服 (ifuku) - Japanese word meaning "clothes"
• を (wo) - Direct object marker indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "clothing"
• 買いました (kaimashita) - verb that means "I bought"

私は多くの問題を抱えています。

Watashi wa ooku no mondai o kakaete imasu

I have a lot of problems to deal with.

I have a lot of problems.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 多くの (ooku no) - adjective that means "many"
• 問題 (mondai) - noun that means "problems"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "problems"
• 抱えています (kakaeteimasu) - verb that means "to have" or "to carry" and is conjugated in the affirmative present polite form

私は塾に通っています。

Watashi wa juku ni kayotteimasu

I am attending a preparatory course.

I go to a CRAM school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 塾 (juku) - noun meaning "private tutoring school"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates direction or destination, in this case, "to"
• 通っています (kayotteimasu) - verb that means "to be attending", conjugated in the present continuous

私は友達を庇うことができます。

Watashi wa tomodachi o kabau koto ga dekimasu

I can protect my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "friend"
• 庇う (kabau) - verb that means "to protect" or "to defend"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event, in this case, "protect"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は友達を家に泊めました。

Watashi wa tomodachi o ie ni tomerimashita

I hosted my friend at home.

I stayed at home with my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "friend"
• 家 (ie) - noun that means "house"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the location where the action took place, in this case, "at home"
• 泊めました (tomemashita) - verb that means "host" in the past

私は友達に料理を手伝う。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni ryouri o tetsudau

I help my friend cook.

I help my friends cook.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "friend"
• 料理 (ryouri) - noun that means "to cook" or "cuisine"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "to cook"
• 手伝う (tetsudau) - "Verb that means 'to help'"

私は憂鬱な気分です。

Watashi wa yūutsu na kibun desu

I have a feeling of sadness/depression.

I feel depressed.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 憂鬱 (yuuutsu) - a noun that means "melancholy," "sadness"
• な (na) - particle that connects the previous noun to an adjective, in this case, "yuuutsu" to "kibun"
• 気分 (kibun) - noun that means "state of mind," "mood"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal way of expressing oneself in Japanese

私は彼女との再会を待ち望んでいます。

Watashi wa kanojo to no saikai o machinozonde imasu

I am anxiously waiting for the reunion with her.

I'm waiting for me to find her again.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "girlfriend" or "her"
• と (to) - particle that indicates the connection between "I" and "she", in this case, "with"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "of the"
• 再会 (saikai) - noun meaning "gathering" or "meeting"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "to wait"
• 待ち望んでいます (machinozondeimasu) - verb that means "to wait eagerly"

私は彼女に愛を告げた。

Watashi wa kanojo ni ai o tsugeru

I declared my love to her.

I told her love.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the addressee of the action, in this case "to her"
• 愛 (ai) - noun meaning "love"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case, "love"
• 告げた (tsugeta) - verb meaning "to declare" or "to confess", conjugated in the past tense

私は年をとっていると感じています。

Watashi wa toshi wo totte iru to kanjiteimasu

I feel like I'm getting older.

I feel old.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 年 (toshi) - noun that means "year"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "year"
• とっている (totteiru) - compound verb that means "to be aging"
• と (to) - particle that indicates the connection between the verb and the next term
• 感じています (kanjiteimasu) - compound verb that means "to feel"