Translation and Meaning of: 私 - atashi

If you are learning Japanese, you have probably come across the word 私[あたし] and wondered: 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 of the 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 why あたし sounds softer than other first-person forms. Want to discover 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 私[あたし] has an interesting history. Originally, the kanji 私 was read as わたくし, a formal way of saying "I." Over time, the pronunciation has changed in colloquial language, especially among women, until reaching the あたし we know today. This evolution reflects the tendency of Japanese to shorten and soften expressions in daily life.

The kanji itself is composed of the radical 禾 (ear of rice) and 厶 (private), suggesting something personal or intimate. No wonder, あたし conveys a more delicate and informal feeling, different from わたし or ぼく. 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 is neutral and can be used by anyone in formal situations, あたし 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 choose 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 settings or when speaking with superiors. In those cases, the classic わたし still prevails. A tip? Pay attention to how 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 fixate 私[あたし], try associating it with everyday situations. Imagine a friend telling a story: "あたし、昨日映画を見たよ！" ("I saw a movie yesterday!"). The softer sound helps differentiate it from other forms. Another strategy is to create flashcards in Anki with real examples, such as dialogues from dramas or J-pop songs that use this expression.

How about a pun you'll never forget? Think of "あたしは私(わたし)じゃない" ("I'm 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 acting — otherwise, it may sound strange to natives. Women, enjoy 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:

私はプレゼントを包むのが上手です。

Watashi wa purezento wo tsutsumu no ga jouzu desu

I'm good at wrapping presents.

I'm good at wrapping presents.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• プレゼント (purezento) - noun meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 包む (tsutsumu) - The verb that means "to wrap."
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the subject of the skill
• 上手 (jouzu) - adjective meaning "good at"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject

私はしくじってしまった。

Watashi wa shikujitte shimatta

I failed.

I was stuck.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates that "I" is the topic of the sentence
• しくじってしまった (shikujitte shimatta) - compound verb meaning "I failed" or "I made a mistake"

私は本を机から棚に移した。

Watashi wa hon o tsukue kara tana ni utsushita

I moved the table book for the shelf.

I changed the table book to the shelf.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - direct object particle, used to indicate the object of the action
• 机 (tsukue) - noun that means "table"
• から (kara) - particle that indicates the origin or starting point of the action
• 棚 (tana) - shelf
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or endpoint of the action
• 移した (utsushita) - transitive verb in the past, meaning "to move" or "to transfer"

私は地元の人です。

Watashi wa jimoto no hito desu

I am a local person.

I am a place.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 地元 (jimoto) - noun that means "place of origin"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of"
• 人 (hito) - noun that means "person"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私は失望しました。

Watashi wa shitsubou shimashita

I was disappointed.

I was disappointed.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 失望 (shitsubou) - noun that means "disappointment"
• しました (shimashita) - verb in the past that indicates a completed action, in this case "I was disappointed"

私は家に入る。

Watashi wa ie ni hairu

I go into the house.

I enter the house.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 家 (ie) - noun that means "house"
• に (ni) - Indicates the direction or location where the action takes place, in this case "into the house"
• 入る (hairu) - verb that means "to enter"

私は彼女に話し掛けた。

Watashi wa kanojo ni hanashikakeru ta

I talked with her.

I talked with her.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - pronoun that means "she"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for her"
• 話し掛けた (hanashikaketa) - verb that means "to speak with," conjugated in the past

私は新しいスマートフォンが欲しいです。

Watashi wa atarashii sumātofon ga hoshii desu

I want a new smartphone.

I want a new smartphone.

• 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"
• スマートフォン (sumātofon) - noun meaning "smartphone"
• が (ga) - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case "smartphone"
• 欲しい (hoshii) - adjective meaning "to want"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は旅券を持っています。

Watashi wa ryokan o motte imasu

I have a passport.

I have a passport.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 旅券 (ryokken) - noun meaning "passport"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "passport"
• 持っています (motteimasu) - verb that means "to have" or "to possess" in the present

私は受身の姿勢を取ります。

Watashi wa ukemi no shisei o torimasu

I assume the reception stance.

I take a passive posture.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 受身 (ukemi) - noun meaning "defensive position" or "receiving position"
• の (no) - particle that indicates the relationship of possession or attribution, in this case, "of the defensive position"
• 姿勢 (shisei) - noun meaning "posture" or "attitude"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "adopt"
• 取ります (torimasu) - verb meaning "to adopt" or "to take over"