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:

私は学科の勉強が好きです。

Watashi wa gakka no benkyou ga suki desu

I like to study academic subjects.

I like to study at the department.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 学科 (gakka) - academic discipline
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between two words, in this case, "of the academic discipline"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun that means "study" or "learning"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "study"
• 好き (suki) - Adjective meaning "to like" or "to appreciate".
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence, in this case, "I like to study academic subjects"

私は毎日家事をします。

Watashi wa mainichi kaji o shimasu

I do the household tasks every day.

I do housework every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 家事 (kaji) - noun that means "household chores"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "household chores"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do"

私は毎日化粧をします。

Watashi wa mainichi keshou o shimasu

I do makeup every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 化粧 (keshou) - "Makeup" - noun that means "maquiagem"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "makeup"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do"

私は毎日ノートを使って勉強します。

Watashi wa mainichi nōto o tsukatte benkyō shimasu

I use a notebook every day to study.

I study every day using a notebook.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• ノート (nooto) - noun that means "notebook"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "notebook"
• 使って (tsukatte) - verb meaning "to use" in the gerund
• 勉強します (benkyou shimasu) - verb that means "to study" in the present

私は星座を観察するのが好きです。

Watashi wa seiza wo kansatsu suru no ga suki desu

I like to observe the constellations.

I like to observe constellations.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 星座 (seiza) - noun meaning "constellation"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "constellation"
• 観察する (kansatsu suru) - verb meaning "to observe"
• のが (noga) - particle indicating the function of a nominal subject, in this case, "observing constellations"
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating a polite statement

私は新しいプロジェクトの構想を考えています。

Watashi wa atarashii purojekuto no kōsō o kangaete imasu

I'm thinking of ideas for a new project.

I'm thinking of a new project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between nouns, in this case, "of the project"
• 構想 (kousou) - noun meaning "conception" or "idea"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "thinking about a new project conception"
• 考えています (kangaeteimasu) - verb meaning "to be thinking", conjugated in the present continuous polite

私は決意を固めました。

Watashi wa ketsui wo katamemashita

I made a firm decision.

I decided to determine.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 決意 (ketsui) - noun meaning "determination" or "resolution"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "determination"
• 固めました (katamemashita) - past tense verb meaning "strengthened" or "firmed"

私は毎朝アラームで覚ます。

Watashi wa maiasa arāmu de samasu

I wake up every morning to the alarm.

I wake up every morning to an alarm.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
• アラーム (araamu) - noun that means "alarm"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or instrument used, in this case, "with an alarm"
• 覚ます (samasu) - verb meaning "to wake up"

私は毎月返済をする必要があります。

Watashi wa maitsuki hensai o suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to make the payment monthly.

I need to pay every month.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎月 (maitsuki) - adverb that means "every month"
• 返済 (hensai) - noun meaning "debt payment"
• を (wo) - direct object particle, in this case, "debt payment"
• する (suru) - verb that means "to do"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - noun meaning "need"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have/to exist"

私は毎日通り過ぎる公園が大好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi toorisugiru kouen ga daisuki desu

I love the park that I pass every day.

I love the park that passes every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 通り過ぎる (toorisugiru) - verb meaning "to pass by"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "park"
• 大好き (daisuki) - adjective meaning "very loved"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence