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:

私はブーツが好きです。

Watashi wa buutsu ga suki desu

I like boots.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ブーツ (buutsu) - word in Japanese that means "boots"
• が (ga) - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - adjective in Japanese that means "to like"
• です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は率直な意見を言います。

Watashi wa socchoku na iken o iimasu

I will give my sincere opinion.

I give a frank opinion.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 率直 (socchoku) - It means "frankness" or "sincerity" in Japanese.
• な (na) - grammatical particle that modifies the adjective "sincere" to fit the Japanese grammar
• 意見 (iken) - It means "opinion" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "opinion"
• 言います (iimasu) - verb meaning "to say" in Japanese, conjugated in the polite form

私は論文を書くのが苦手です。

Watashi wa ronbun o kaku no ga nigate desu

I have a hard time writing articles.

I'm not good at writing a dissertation.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 論文 (ronbun) - It means "academic work" or "thesis" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 書く (kaku) - Verb meaning "to write"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates that the sentence is an explanation or justification.
• 苦手 (nigate) - adjective that means "not being good at something", "having difficulty"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は高く跳ぶことができます。

Watashi wa takaku tobu koto ga dekimasu

I can jump high.

I can jump high.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 高く (takaku) - adverb that means "high" in Japanese
• 跳ぶ (tobu) - verb meaning "to jump" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - The word is "koto," which means "thing" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" in Japanese

私は間違いを戻す必要がある。

Watashi wa machigai o modosu hitsuyō ga aru

I need to undo a mistake.

I need to make a mistake.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 間違い (machigai) - means "mistake" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 戻す (modosu) - means "return" in Japanese
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - means "necessary" or "essential" in Japanese
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• ある (aru) - verb meaning "to exist" in Japanese

私は民主党の支持者です。

Watashi wa Minshutō no shijisha desu

I am a supporter of the Democratic Party.

I am a Democratic defender.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 民主党 (minshutou) - "Democratic Party"
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 支持者 (shijisha) - It means "supporter" or "sympathizer" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or identity of something or someone

私は毎日工作をしています。

Watashi wa mainichi kousaku wo shiteimasu

I work everyday.

I work every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 工作 (kousaku) - "work" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• しています (shiteimasu) - the polite form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese, conjugated in the present continuous

私は嬉しいです。

Watashi wa ureshii desu

I'm happy.

I am happy.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 嬉しい (ureshii) - adjective meaning "happy" or "content"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私は兼業で働いています。

Watashi wa kengyō de hataraiteimasu

I work on two jobs.

I work at the partial part.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 兼業 (kengyo) - It means "part-time work" or "secondary work" in Japanese.
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the means or method used
• 働いています (hataraiteimasu) - means "I am working" in Japanese

私はラケットでテニスをします。

Watashi wa raketto de tenisu o shimasu

I play tennis with a racket.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ラケット (raketto) - Japanese word meaning "racket"
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the means or instrument used to perform an action
• テニス (tenisu) - word in Japanese that means "tennis"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• します (shimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"