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:

私の日課は毎朝ジョギングすることです。

Watashi no nikka wa maiasa jogingu suru koto desu

My daily routine is running every morning.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 日課 (nikka) - noun meaning "daily habit"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
• ジョギング (jogingu) - noun meaning "race"
• する (suru) - verb that means "to do"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• です (desu) - verb indicating to be, used for formality

私の人生は充実しています。

Watashi no jinsei wa juujitsu shiteimasu

My life is full of achievements.

My life is rewarding.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 充実しています (juujitsu shiteimasu) - Verb "estar" means "to be" and "preenchido/satisfeito" means "filled/satisfied" in the present progressive.

私の資産は少ないです。

Watashi no shisan wa sukunai desu

My assets are few.

My assets are small.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates ownership, in this case, "my"
• 資産 (shisan) - noun that means "heritage" or "assets"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates what is being discussed, in this case, "heritage"
• 少ない (sukunai) - adjective that means "little" or "scarce"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, indicating the existence or condition of something or someone

私の通帳はいつも整理されています。

Watashi no tsūchō wa itsumo seiri sarete imasu

My notebook is always organized.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "mine"
• 通帳 (tsūchō) - bank registry book
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• いつも (itsumo) - always
• 整理されています (seiri sarete imasu) - to be organized

私の母親はとても優しいです。

Watashi no hahaoya wa totemo yasashii desu

My mother is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 母親 (hahaoya) - noun meaning "mother"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "kind"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の部下はとても優秀です。

Watashi no buka wa totemo yuushuu desu

My subordinates are very good.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• 部下 (buka) - "Subordinate" is a noun that means "subordinate".
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優秀 (yuushuu) - adjective that means "excellent"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私の股は痛いです。

Watashi no mata wa itai desu

My crotch hurts.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 股 (mata) - noun meaning "groin"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 痛い (itai) - adjective meaning "sore" or "sick"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私の職場はとても忙しいです。

Watashi no shokuba wa totemo isogashii desu

My workplace is very busy.

My workplace is very busy.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 職場 (shokuba) - noun meaning "workplace"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 忙しい (isogashii) - adjective meaning "busy" or "agitated"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の息子はとてもかわいいです。

Watashi no musuko wa totemo kawaii desu

My son is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "mine"
• 息子 (musuko) - noun that means "son"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my son"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• かわいい (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の専門は心理学です。

Watashi no senmon wa shinrigaku desu

My specialty is psychology.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "mine"
• 専門 (senmon) - noun that means "specialty"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "about"
• 心理学 (shinrigaku) - noun meaning "psychology"
• です (desu) - verb that indicates to be, in this case "is"