Translation and Meaning of: 私 - atashi

If you are learning Japanese, you have probably already come across the word I You may wonder: 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 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 the reason why あたし it's smoother than other first-person forms. Want to find out 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 I there is an interesting story. Originally, the kanji 私 it was read as わたくし, a formal way to say "I". Over time, the pronunciation has changed in colloquial language, especially among women, until it reached the あたし what we know today. This evolution reflects the tendency of Japanese to shorten and soften expressions in everyday life.

The kanji itself is composed of the radical. ⽲ (rice ear) and ⼛ (particular), suggesting something personal or intimate. No wonder, あたし conveys a more delicate and informal feeling, different from わたし Please provide the text you'd like me to translate. ホク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 it is neutral and can be used by anyone in formal situations, あたし It 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 opt for 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 environments or when speaking with superiors. In these cases, the classic わたし still dominates. A tip? Pay attention to how the 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 solidify I, try associating it with everyday situations. Imagine a friend telling a story: "I watched a movie yesterday!" ("I watched a movie yesterday!"). The softer sound helps to differentiate it from other forms. Another strategy is to create flashcards on Anki with real examples, such as dialogues from doramas or J-pop songs that use this expression.

How about a pun you'll never forget? Think of "I'm not me." ("I am 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 interpreting something — otherwise, it may sound strange to natives. Women, take advantage of 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:

私は貴重品を銀行に預けるつもりです。

Watashi wa kichouhin wo ginkou ni azukeru tsumori desu

I intend to deposit valuables in the bank.

I intend to leave valuables in the bank.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 貴重品 (kichouhin) - noun that means "valuable goods" or "objects of value"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 銀行 (ginkou) - noun that means "bank"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or location of the action
• 預ける (azukeru) - verb that means "to deposit" or "to trust"
• つもり (tsumori) - expression that indicates the intention or plan to do something
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or respectful form of the sentence

私は糸を接ぐことができます。

Watashi wa ito o tsugu koto ga dekimasu

I can sew wires together.

I can get a topic.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 糸 (ito) - noun that means "line" or "thread"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 接ぐ (tsugu) - verb that means "to unite" or "to join"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は管楽器を演奏するのが好きです。

Watashi wa kangukki o ensō suru no ga suki desu

I like to play wind instruments.

I like to throw wind instruments.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 管楽器 (kangakki) - noun meaning "wind instrument"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 演奏する (ensousuru) - verb meaning "to play (an instrument)"
• のが (noga) - particle indicating that the sentence is an expression of tastes or preferences
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は片言の日本語しか話せません。

Watashi wa katagoto no nihongo shika hanasemasen

I can only speak a single Japanese word.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 片言 (katanaga) - noun that means "limited speech"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• しか (shika) - particle that indicates exclusion or limitation
• 話せません (hanasemasen) - verb that means "I can't speak"

私は派遣社員です。

Watashi wa haken shain desu

I am a temporary employee.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 派遣社員 (haken shain) - term that refers to a temporary or outsourced worker
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は母から縫い方を教わった。

Watashi wa haha kara nuikata o osowatta

I learned to sew with my mother.

I learned to sew from my mother.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject of the conversation is "I"
• 母 (haha) - noun meaning "mother"
• から (kara) - particle that indicates the origin or starting point of an action, in this case, "from my mother"
• 縫い方 (nuikata) - noun that means "way of sewing"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "the way of sewing"
• 教わった (osowatta) - verb that means "to learn," in the past, indicating that "I learned how to sew."

私は鍵を鞄にぶら下げました。

Watashi wa kagi wo kaban ni burasagerimashita

I put the key in my bag.

I put the key in my bag.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 鍵 (kagi) - noun that means "key"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 鞄 (kaban) - noun that means "backpack" or "bag"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or location of the object
• ぶら下げました (burasagemashita) - verb that means "to hang" or "to suspend"

私は鍋に野菜を浸けました。

Watashi wa nabe ni yasai o tsukemashita

I dived the vegetables in the pan.

I soaked vegetables in a pan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 鍋 (nabe) - noun that means "pot"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of the action
• 野菜 (yasai) - noun that means "vegetables"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 浸けました (tsukemashita) - verb that means "immersed" or "dipped" in the past

私は近郊に住んでいます。

Watashi wa kinkou ni sunde imasu

I live around.

I live in the suburbs.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 近郊 (kinkou) - noun that means "surroundings"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates location
• 住んでいます (sundeimasu) - verb that means "to live"

私は近視です。

Watashi wa kinshi desu

I am myopic.

I am myopia.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 近視 (kinshi) - noun meaning "myopia"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of stating something