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:

私の恋人はとても素晴らしい人です。

Watashi no koibito wa totemo subarashii hito desu

My lover is a very wonderful person.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 恋人 - Noun that means "lover" or "boyfriend/girlfriend" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" in Portuguese
• とても - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful" or "excellent" in Japanese
• 人 - noun that means "person" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate state or quality

私のポジションはデザインチームのリーダーです。

Watashi no pojishon wa dezain chiimu no riidaa desu

My position is the design team lead.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• ポジション - Word borrowed from English meaning "position"
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, equivalent to "is" in English
• デザインチーム - Compound word that means "design team"
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• リーダー - Word borrowed from English meaning "leader"
• です - verb "to be" in the present, equivalent to "is" in English

私の情熱は永遠に燃え続ける。

Watashi no jōnetsu wa eien ni moetsuzukeru

My passion will continue to burn forever.

My passion continues to burn forever.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "meu" in Portuguese
• 情熱 - noun meaning "passion" or "enthusiasm"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in Portuguese
• 永遠に - adverb meaning "forever" or "eternally"
• 燃え続ける - compound verb meaning "to keep burning" or "to keep burning"

私の顔には面皰があります。

Watashi no kao ni wa mentsu ga arimasu

I have acne on my face.

There is a face on my face.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• 顔 - noun that means "face" in Japanese
• に - particle that indicates the place where something is or happens, equivalent to "in" in Portuguese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in Portuguese
• 面皰 - Noun that means "spine" in Japanese
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, equivalent to "the" in Portuguese
• あります - The verb that means "to exist" in Japanese, conjugated in the affirmative present tense.

私は毎日勤務しています。

Watashi wa mainichi kinmu shiteimasu

I work everyday.

I work every day.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 - adverb meaning "every day"
• 勤務 - noun that means "work" or "service"
• しています - verb "suru" in the present continuous, indicating an ongoing action

私は彼女の優しさを見習いたいです。

Watashi wa kanojo no yasashisa o minaraitai desu

I want to learn from her kindness.

I want to imitate your kindness.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "she" or "girlfriend" in Japanese
• の - possession particle indicating that "優しさ" belongs to "彼女"
• 優しさ - noun meaning "kindness" or "friendliness" in Japanese
• を - object particle indicating that "優しさ" is the direct object of the action
• 見習いたい - verb meaning "to want to learn" or "to want to follow" in Japanese, conjugated in the affirmative present tense
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or polished form of the sentence, equivalent to the verb "ser" in Portuguese

私は彼の言葉を疑う。

Watashi wa kare no kotoba wo utagau

I doubt his words.

I doubt your words.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼 - personal pronoun that means "he" in Japanese
• の - Possessive particle indicating that "言葉" (words) belongs to "彼" (him)
• 言葉 - noun that means "words" in Japanese
• を - object particle that indicates that "言葉" (words) is the direct object of the action
• 疑う - verb meaning "to doubt" in Japanese

私は大使館で働いています。

Watashi wa taishikan de hataraiteimasu

I work in the embassy.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大使館 - word that means "embassy" in Japanese
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 働いています - verb that means "to work" in Japanese, conjugated in the present continuous

私は短大で日本語を勉強しました。

Watashi wa tandaide nihongo o benkyō shimashita

I studied Japanese in technical college.

I studied Japanese at a junior college.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 短大 - abbreviation of "短期大学", which means "short-term college" in Japanese.
• で - particle that indicates the place where an action occurs, in this case "at the university"
• 日本語 - noun that means "Japanese" in Japanese
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "studying Japanese"
• 勉強 - verb that means "to study" in Japanese
• しました - past form of the verb "する", which means "to do" in Japanese, indicating that the action of studying Japanese was completed in the past

私は公立大学に通っています。

Watashi wa kōritsu daigaku ni kayotteimasu

I study at a public university.

I go to a public university.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 公立大学 - compound noun that means "public university"
• に - locative particle that indicates the place where the action takes place
• 通っています - verb that means "to attend" in the present continuous