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:

私は本を机に置きました。

Watashi wa hon o tsukue ni okimashita

I put the book on the table.

I put the book on my table.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 本 (hon) - means "book" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 机 (tsukue) - means "table" in Japanese
• に (ni) - location particle in Japanese, used to indicate the place where something happened
• 置きました (okimashita) - Past form of the verb "okiru", meaning "to put" in Japanese.

私は彼女の愛を感じます。

Watashi wa kanojo no ai wo kanjimasu

I feel her love.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• の (no) - possessive particle in Japanese, used to indicate that "love" belongs to "her"
• 愛 (ai) - It means "love" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate that "love" is the direct object of the sentence
• 感じます (kanjimasu) - The verb in Japanese that means "to feel" is "感じる" (kanjiru).

私は彼女に愛を授けました。

Watashi wa kanojo ni ai o sazukemashita

I gave her love.

I gave her love.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• に (ni) - target particle in Japanese, used to indicate the recipient of the action
• 愛 (ai) - It means "love" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the action
• 授けました (sazukemashita) - verb meaning "to give" or "to grant" in Japanese, in the past tense and polite

私は公園でピクニックをするのが好きです。

Watashi wa kōen de pikunikku o suru no ga suki desu

I like to make picnic in the park.

I like picnics in the park.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 公園 (kouen) - means "park" in Japanese
• で (de) - location particle in Japanese, used to indicate where something happens
• ピクニック (pikunikku) - Japanese word for "picnic"
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• する (suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to do"
• のが (noga) - Japanese particle indicating that the phrase is an expression of preference
• 好き (suki) - Japanese adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence

私は停留所でバスを待っています。

Watashi wa teiryūjo de basu o matte imasu

I'm waiting for the bus at the bus stop.

I'm waiting for a bus at the stop.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 停留所 (teiryūjo) - means "bus stop" in Japanese
• で (de) - Location particle in Japanese language, used to indicate where something is happening.
• バス (basu) - It means "bus" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 待っています (matteimasu) - It means "I am waiting" in Japanese, with "matte" being the verb "to wait" and "imasu" a form to indicate the present continuous.

私はあなたからの消息を待っています。

Watashi wa anata kara no shōsai o matte imasu

I'm waiting for news from you.

I'm waiting for you to inhabit it.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• あなた (anata) - It means "you" in Japanese.
• から (kara) - means "from" in Japanese
• の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
• 消息 (shousoku) - means "news" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 待っています (matteimasu) - It means "I am waiting" in Japanese.

私は菓子が大好きです。

Watashi wa kashi ga daisuki desu

I love candies.

I love confectionery.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 菓子 (kashi) - "Doces" means "sweet" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - subject particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 大好き (daisuki) - means "I like a lot" in Japanese
• です (desu) - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私は水泳が大好きです。

Watashi wa suiei ga daisuki desu

I love swimming.

I love swimming.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 水泳 (suiei) - "natação" means "swimming" in Japanese
• が (ga) - subject particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 大好き (daisuki) - means "like very much" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence

私は毎日通学しています。

Watashi wa mainichi tsuugaku shiteimasu

I go to school every day.

I go to school every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 通学 (tsuugaku) - "学校に行く" em japonês.
• しています (shiteimasu) - The polite form of the verb "to do" in Japanese, indicating an ongoing action, is "しています" (shiteimasu).

私は毎日通勤しています。

Watashi wa mainichi tsūkin shiteimasu

I will work every day.

I travel every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 通勤 (tsūkin) - means "go to work" in Japanese
• しています (shiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "to do" in Japanese, indicating a continuous action in the present tense