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:

私は新しいプロジェクトを仕掛けるつもりです。

Watashi wa atarashii purojekuto o shikakeru tsumori desu

I intend to start a new project.

I'm going to set up a new project.

• 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"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "project"
• 仕掛ける (shikakeru) - verb meaning "to begin" or "to begin"
• つもり (tsumori) - expression that indicates the intention to do something
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私は日本語を覚えるために毎日勉強しています。

Watashi wa nihongo o oboeru tame ni mainichi benkyou shiteimasu

I study Japanese every day to keep myself sharp.

I study every day to learn Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "japonês"
• 覚える (oboeru) - verb that means "to remember" or "to learn"
• ために (tameni) - expression meaning "for" or "in order to"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - noun that means "every day"
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - The expression that means "I am studying"

私は明日手術を受けます。

Watashi wa ashita shujutsu o ukemasu

I will have surgery tomorrow.

I will have surgery tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 明日 (ashita) - adverb meaning "tomorrow"
• 手術 (shujutsu) - noun that means "surgery"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 受けます (ukemasu) - verb that means "will receive" or "will undergo"

私は自分で服を誂えることができます。

Watashi wa jibun de fuku o totonoeru koto ga dekimasu

I can customize my clothes.

I can customize my clothes.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun that means "oneself"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 服 (fuku) - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 誂える (atsumae ru) - verb meaning "to tailor"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - Verb that means "to be able to"

私は友達を励ますために彼女にエールを送ります。

Watashi wa tomodachi o hagemasu tame ni kanojo ni ēru o okurimasu

I send an encouragement message to my friend to encourage her.

I send her a beer to encourage my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject is "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "friend" is the object of the action
• 励ます (hagemasu) - verb meaning "to encourage"
• ために (tameni) - expression that indicates the purpose of the action, in this case "to encourage the friend"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "she"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the recipient of the action, in this case "she" is the recipient of the encouragement
• エール (eeru) - noun meaning "support" or "encouragement"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "support" is the object of the action
• 送ります (okurimasu) - verb meaning "to send"

私は彼女に尽くすことを決めました。

Watashi wa kanojo ni tsukusu koto o kimemashita

I decided to dedicate myself to her.

I decided to do my best.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun that means "girlfriend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for my girlfriend"
• 尽くす (tsukusu) - A verb that means "to dedicate oneself," "to serve," or "to treat with care."
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing," used to transform the verb into a noun
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the action, in this case "the dedication"
• 決めました (kimemashita) - verb that means "to decide," conjugated in the past, indicating that the action has already been completed.

私はスプーンでコーヒーを掻き回す。

Watashi wa supūn de kōhī o kakimawasu

I move coffee with a spoon.

I scratch the coffee with a spoon.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• スプーン (supuun) - noun meaning "to harvest"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or tool used
• コーヒー (koohii) - noun meaning "coffee"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 掻き回す (kakimawasu) - verb meaning "to stir" or "to agitate"

私はいつも口ずさむ歌があります。

Watashi wa itsumo kuchizusamu uta ga arimasu

I always have a song that I sing.

I always have a song to hum.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• いつも (itsumo) - Japanese adverb meaning "always"
• 口ずさむ (kuchizusamu) - Japanese verb that means "to hum"
• 歌 (uta) - Japanese noun meaning "song"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "song".
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "exist", in this case, "exists"

私はたくさんの責任を持っています。

Watashi wa takusan no sekinin o motte imasu

I have many responsibilities.

I have a lot of responsibility.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• たくさんの (takusan no) - Japanese expression meaning "many" or "much"
• 責任 (sekinin) - Japanese noun meaning "responsibility"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "responsibility"
• 持っています (motteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to have" or "to possess" in the present continuous tense

私は嫌いな食べ物があります。

Watashi wa kirai na tabemono ga arimasu

I have food that I don't like.

I have food that I hate.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 嫌いな (kirai na) - Japanese adjective meaning "hateful" or "unpleasant", followed by the particle na to indicate that it is an adjective
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - Japanese noun meaning "food"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to exist" or "to be", in the present tense