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:

私は同じことを繰り返すとすぐに飽きます。

Watashi wa onaji koto wo kurikaesu to sugu ni akiramasu

I get bored quickly when I do the same thing over and over again.

I get bored as soon as I repeat the same thing.

• 私 (watashi) - I
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 同じ (onaji) - Mesmo, igual
• こと (koto) - thing
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 繰り返す (kurikaesu) - repeat
• と (to) - Quote particle
• すぐに (sugu ni) - immediately
• 飽きます (akimasu) - to get bored, tired

私は毎日何を食べるか選ぶのが難しいです。

Watashi wa mainichi nani wo taberu ka erabu no ga muzukashii desu

It's hard to choose what to eat every day.

It's hard to choose what to eat every day.

• 私 (watashi) - I
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 毎日 (mainichi) - every day
• 何 (nani) - what
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 食べる (taberu) - Eat
• か (ka) - interrogative particle
• 選ぶ (erabu) - Choose
• のが (noga) - Nominal particle
• 難しい (muzukashii) - Difficult
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (polite form)

私の顎は痛いです。

Watashi no ago wa itai desu

My chin is hurting.

My chin hurts.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun "I"
• の (no) - Possessive particle "my"
• 顎 (ago) - "chin"
• は (wa) - topic particle "about"
• 痛い (itai) - adjective "sore"
• です (desu) - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form

私のスケジュールはいっぱいです。

Watashi no sukejuuru wa ippai desu

My schedule is full.

My schedule is full.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• スケジュール (sukejuuru) - Japanese word meaning "agenda" or "schedule"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my agenda"
• いっぱい (ippai) - Japanese adjective that means "cheio" or "lotado"
• です (desu) - Japanese linking verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は彼に片思いしています。

Watashi wa kare ni kataomoi shiteimasu

I have a passion not corresponded by him.

I have a drop for him.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼 (kare) - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
• 片思い (kataomoi) - Noun meaning "unrequited love"
• しています (shiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "do" indicating ongoing action

私は昇進を目指して頑張ります。

Watashi wa shōshin o mezashite ganbarimasu

I will strive to get promoted.

I will do my best to promote.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 昇進 (shoushin) - Japanese noun meaning "promotion"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 目指して (mezashite) - Japanese verb meaning "to aim" or "to aim for"
• 頑張ります (ganbarimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to do one's best" or "to strive"

神の恵みは私たちに与えられたものです。

Kami no megumi wa watashitachi ni ataerareta mono desu

God's grace has been bestowed upon us.

God's blessings have been given to us.

• 神の恵み - God's grace
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - We
• に - Destination particle
• 与えられた - It was given
• もの - Thing
• です - and

環境保護は私たちの義務です。

Kankyō hogo wa watashitachi no gimu desu

Protecting the environment is our responsibility.

Environmental protection is our duty.

• 環境保護 - environmental protection
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - we
• の - Possessive particle
• 義務 - Duty, obligation
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

歌を歌うことは私の生きる喜びです。

Uta wo utau koto wa watashi no ikiru yorokobi desu

Singing is the joy of my life.

Singing a song is my joy in life.

• 歌を歌うこと (uta wo utau koto) - sing a song
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my
• 生きる (ikiru) - live
• 喜び (yorokobi) - joy
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

毛は私の服についています。

Ke wa watashi no fuku ni tsuite imasu

There are hair on my clothes.

The hair is in my clothes.

• 毛 - hair
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 服 - clothes
• に - target particle
• ついています - is stuck