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:

私は新しい衣服を買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii ifuku o kaitai desu

I want to buy new clothes.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• 衣服 (ifuku) - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to buy"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the formality of the sentence

私は末っ子です。

Watashi wa makkosu desu

I'm the youngest.

I am the younger.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 末っ子 (makkosshi) - noun meaning "youngest son"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or condition of the subject

私は書斎で勉強します。

Watashi wa shosai de benkyou shimasu

I study in my office.

I study in the study.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 書斎 (shosai) - noun meaning "office" or "study room"
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun that means "study" or "learning"
• します (shimasu) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

私は明日の会議に欠席します。

Watashi wa ashita no kaigi ni kessei shimasu

I will be absent from tomorrow's meeting.

I will be absent from tomorrow's meeting.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 明日 (ashita) - substantive that means "tomorrow"
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 会議 (kaigi) - noun meaning "gathering" or "meeting"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates destination or goal
• 欠席 (kesseki) - noun meaning "absence" or "lack"
• します (shimasu) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

私は日本語を話すことができます。

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu

I can speak Japanese.

I can speak Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 話す (hanasu) - verb meaning "to talk" or "to converse"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は毎月基金にお金を入れています。

Watashi wa maitsuki kikin ni okane wo ireteimasu

I put money on the investment fund every month.

I have money in the background every month.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎月 (maitsuki) - adverb that means "every month"
• 基金 (kikin) - noun that means "bottom" or "investment"
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the target of the action
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 入れています (ireteimasu) - compound verb meaning "to put" or "to deposit" (in the present continuous)

私は毎晩パジャマを着ます。

Watashi wa maiban pajama wo kimasu

I see pajamas every night.

I use pajamas every night.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎晩 (maiban) - adverb that means "every night"
• パジャマ (pajama) - noun that means "pajamas"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 着ます (kimasu) - verb meaning "to put on"

私は毎日日記を書く。

Watashi wa mainichi nikki o kaku

I write a diary every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 日記 (nikki) - noun meaning "diary"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書く (kaku) - Verb meaning "to write"

私は毎日日記を書きます。

Watashi wa mainichi nikki wo kakimasu

I write a diary every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 日記 (nikki) - noun meaning "diary"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書きます (kakimasu) - Verb meaning "to write"

私は毎日勉強します。

Watashi wa mainichi benkyō shimasu

I study every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun meaning "study"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do"