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:

私の姉はとても優しいです。

Watashi no ane wa totemo yasashii desu

My older sister is very kind.

My sister is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "my"
• 姉 (ane) - means "older sister" in Japanese
• は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "my sister"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject, in this case "is"

私の父は工場で働いています。

Watashi no chichi wa koujou de hataraite imasu

My father works in a factory.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 父 (chichi) - means "father" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 工場 (koujou) - means "factory" in Japanese
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 働いています (hataraitteimasu) - means "is working" in Japanese

私の妹はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no imouto wa totemo kawaii desu

My younger sister is very cute.

My sister is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 妹 (imouto) - It means "younger sister" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence.

私の指にとげが刺さった。

Watashi no yubi ni toge ga sasatta

A thorn was stuck in my finger.

The throat arrested on my finger.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 指 (yubi) - It means "finger" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or direction
• とげ (toge) - It means "thorn" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 刺さった (sasatta) - The verb "sasaru" in the past, meaning "to pierce" or "to sting"

私の弟はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no otouto wa totemo kawaii desu

My younger brother is very cute.

My brother is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 弟 (otouto) - It means "younger brother" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my younger brother"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or formality

私はあなたが好きです。

Watashi wa anata ga suki desu

I like you.

I like you.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - It means "you" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - subject particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - means "to like" in Japanese
• です (desu) - "Ser" in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a formal statement

私は毎日歩くことが好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi aruku koto ga suki desu

I like to walk every day.

I like to walk every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic marker in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 歩くこと (aruku koto) - means "to walk" in Japanese, with "koto" being a nominal suffix that turns the verb into a noun
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "walk" is the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - means "to like" in Japanese
• です (desu) - To be verb in Japanese, used to indicate the end of the sentence and politeness.

私は最近多忙です。

Watashi wa saikin tabō desu

I've been very busy lately.

I am recently busy.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic marker in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 最近 (saikin) - "recently" in Japanese.
• 多忙 (tabou) - means "busy" or "very busy" in Japanese
• です (desu) - polite form of "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a formal statement

私は不幸な出来事に遭いました。

Watashi wa fukou na dekigoto ni auimashita

I encountered an unfortunate situation.

I have an unfortunate event.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates the theme of the sentence
• 不幸な (fukou na) - unfortunate
• 出来事 (dekigoto) - noun that means "event" or "occurrence"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or destination
• 遭いました (awai mashita) - The verb that means "to find" or "to go through," conjugated in the polite past tense is "見つけました" (mitsukemashita) or "通りました" (toorimashita) depending on the specific meaning.

私は週に2回パートで働いています。

Watashi wa shū ni nikai pāto de hataraite imasu

I work a part time job twice a week.

I work twice a week.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates the subject of the sentence
• 週 (shuu) - means "week" in Japanese
• に (ni) - Japanese time particle, indicates when something happens
• 2 (ni) - number two in Japanese
• 回 (kai) - means "times" in Japanese and indicates the frequency of an action
• パート (paato) - borrowed from the English word "part-time", meaning part-time work
• で (de) - location particle in Japanese, indicates where something happens
• 働いています (hataraiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "to work" in Japanese, indicates the action being performed