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:

私は自信を持ってこの試験に臨みます。

Watashi wa jishin o motte kono shiken ni nozomimasu

I will face this exam with confidence.

I will have confidence in this exam.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun, means "I"
• は (wa) - Topic particle, indicates the subject of the sentence
• 自信 (jishin) - noun, means "trust"
• を (wo) - direct object particle, indicates the object of the action
• 持って (motte) - verb, means "to have/possess"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective, meaning "this"
• 試験 (shiken) - noun, means "exam/test"
• に (ni) - destination particle, indicates the place/goal of the action
• 臨みます (nozomimasu) - verb, means "to face/confront"

私は甘えるのが好きです。

Watashi wa amaeru no ga suki desu

I like to be spoiled.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 甘える (amaeru) - verb that means "to depend on someone", "to be spoiled"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the nominal subject function of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は深く自然の美しさを悟りました。

Watashi wa fukaku shizen no utsukushisa o satorimashita

I deeply understood the beauty of nature.

I realized the beauty of nature.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 深く (fukaku) - adverb meaning "deeply"
• 自然 (shizen) - Noun that means "nature"
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 美しさ (utsukushisa) - noun meaning "beauty"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 悟りました (satorimashita) - verb meaning "I realized" or "I understood" (in the past tense)

私は毎朝早く目覚めます。

Watashi wa maiasa hayaku mezameru masu

I wake up early every morning.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
• 早く (hayaku) - adverb meaning "early"
• 目覚めます (mezamemasu) - verb meaning "to wake up"

私は毎晩ビールを飲みます。

Watashi wa maiban biiru o nomimasu

I drink beer every night.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎晩 (maiban) - adverb that means "every night"
• ビール (biiru) - The noun that means "beer" is "cerveja".
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 飲みます (nomimasu) - verb meaning "to drink"

私の親友はいつも私を支えてくれます。

Watashi no shinyuu wa itsumo watashi o sasaete kuremasu

My best friend always supports me.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - possession particle, indicating that "watashi" is the possessor
• 親友 (shin'yuu) - means "best friend" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicating that "shin'yuu" is the subject of the sentence
• いつも (itsumo) - means "always" in Japanese
• 私を (watashi wo) - "wo" is a direct object particle, indicating that "watashi" is the object of the sentence
• 支えてくれます (sasaete kuremasu) - "sasaete" means "to support", "kuremasu" is a polite form of "kureru", which means "to do for someone". Together, they mean "to do for someone the act of supporting", indicating that "shin'yuu" always supports "watashi".

私の姉妹はとても仲が良いです。

Watashi no shimai wa totemo naka ga yoi desu

My sisters are very close.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - possession particle in Japanese, indicating that the next word is possessed by "me"
• 姉妹 (shimai) - means "sisters" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "sisters"
• とても (totemo) - adverb in Japanese, meaning "a lot"
• 仲 (naka) - means "relationship" in Japanese
• が (ga) - subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "relationship" is the subject of the sentence
• 良い (yoi) - Japanese adjective meaning "good"
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative

私の予定はまだ未定です。

Watashi no yotei wa mada mitei desu

My plans are not yet defined.

My schedule is still undecided.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - Particle of possession in Japanese, indicating that "私" owns something.
• 予定 (yotei) - means "plan" or "agenda" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "予定" is the subject of the sentence
• まだ (mada) - means "still" in Japanese, indicating that the plan has not been decided yet
• 未定 (mitei) - means "undefined" or "undecided" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement

私の家族はとても大切です。

Watashi no kazoku wa totemo taisetsu desu

My family is very important to me.

My family is very important.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - possession particle in Japanese, indicating that "my" family home
• 家族 (kazoku) - means "family" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "the family" is the subject of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective meaning "important" or "precious" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, indicating "is" important to my family

私の部屋はとても静かです。

Watashi no heya wa totemo shizuka desu

My room is very quiet.

My room is very quiet.

• 私 (watashi) - means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of" in Portuguese.
• 部屋 (heya) - "Quarto" significa "部屋" (heya) em japonês.
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "it is about" in Portuguese.
• とても (totemo) - adverb that means "very" in Japanese.
• 静か (shizuka) - The adjective that means "silent" in Japanese is 静かな (shizukana).
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the existence or quality of the subject, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English.