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:

主人は私の親友です。

Shujin wa watashi no shinyuu desu

My husband is my best friend.

My husband is my best friend.

• 主人 - means "husband" or "spouse" in Japanese.
• は - partítulo gramatical que indica o tópico da frase, neste caso, "o marido".
• 私 - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
• の - possessive pronoun that indicates ownership, in this case, "my".
• 親友 - It means "close friend" or "best friend" in Japanese.
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and the statement is true.

レースは私の好きなスポーツです。

Rēsu wa watashi no sukina supōtsu desu

Running is my favorite sport.

The race is my favorite sport.

• レース - Running
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - mine
• 好きな - favorite
• スポーツ - sport
• です - is

ブルーは私の好きな色です。

Burū wa watashi no sukina iro desu

Blue is my favorite color.

Blue is my favorite color.

• ブルー (buruu) - blue
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my
• 好きな (suki na) - favorite
• 色 (iro) - color
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (linking verb)

デザートは私の一番好きな食べ物です。

Dēzāto wa watashi no ichiban suki na tabemono desu

Dessert is my favorite food.

Dessert is my favorite food.

• デザート - デザート (dezāto)
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "dessert."
• 私の - possessive pronoun in Japanese that means "my/mine".
• 一番 - expression in Japanese that means "the most," in this case, "my favorite dessert."
• 好きな - adjective in Japanese that means "favorite".
• 食べ物 - word in Japanese that means "food".
• です - verb in Japanese that means "to be/being", used to indicate the affirmation of the sentence.

この本は私の研究にとても参考になりました。

Kono hon wa watashi no kenkyū ni totemo sankō ni narimashita

This book was very useful as a reference for my research.

This book was very useful in my research.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 本 - It means "book".
• は - topic particle, indicates that the book is the subject of the sentence
• 私 - means "I"
• の - possessive particle, indicates that the book is "mine"
• 研究 - It means "research".
• に - particle that indicates purpose, in this case, "for"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 参考 - It means "reference"
• に - again the particle that indicates the purpose, in this case, "para"
• なりました - verb that indicates that the book "became" a very useful reference for research.

この建物は私たちの目印です。

Kono tatemono wa watashitachi no mejirushi desu

This building is our reference point.

This building is our landmark.

• この - this
• 建物 - building
• は - is
• 私たちの - our
• 目印 - reference point
• です - is

クリームは私のお気に入りのデザートです。

Kurīmu wa watashi no okiniiri no dezāto desu

Cream is my favorite dessert.

Cream is my favorite dessert.

• クリーム (kurīmu) - cream
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my
• お気に入りの (okiniiri no) - favorite
• デザート (dezāto) - dessert
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

この出来事が私たちにとって大きな契機となりました。

Kono dekigoto ga watashitachi ni totte ookina keiki to narimashita

This event has become a great opportunity for us.

This event was a great opportunity for us.

• この (kono) - this
• 出来事 (dekigoto) - event/occurrence
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• にとって (nitotte) - for us
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 契機 (keiki) - opportunity/chance
• と (to) - connect the words
• なりました (narimashita) - became

鏡は私たちの姿を映し出す。

Kagami wa watashitachi no sugata o utsushidasu

The mirror reflects our image.

The mirror reflects us.

• 鏡 (kagami) - mirror
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 姿 (sugata) - appearance, figure
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 映し出す (utsushidasu) - reflect, project

私は行員ではありません。

Watashi wa gyouin de wa arimasen

I am not a bank employee.

I'm not an employee.

• Input - - - indicates that the input text will be presented next.
• 私 - - - word in Japanese that means "I".
• は - - - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I".
• 行員 - - - The word in Japanese that means "bank employee."
• ではありません - - - expression in Japanese that means "it's not".
• . - - period at the end of the sentence.
• Output - - - indicates that the result of the translation of the input text will be presented next.