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:

私たちを取り巻く自然の美しさに感謝します。

Watashitachi o torimaku shizen no utsukushisa ni kansha shimasu

I am grateful for the beauty of the nature that surrounds us.

Thank you for the beauty of nature around us.

• 私たち - 「私たち」
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 取り巻く - "囲む" ou "包む" em japonês
• 自然 - 自然 (Shizen)
• の - Possessive particle in Japanese
• 美しさ - "beauty" in Japanese
• に - Destination particle in Japanese
• 感謝します - "ありがとうございます" (Arigatou gozaimasu)

私たちは間に合うように頑張ります。

Watashitachi wa maniau you ni ganbarimasu

We will do our best to arrive on time.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 間に合う - "to be able to do on time" in Japanese
• ように - particle indicating "so that" or "so that" in Japanese
• 頑張ります - "let's make an effort" in Japanese

私たちは時々弛みが必要です。

Watashitachi wa tokidoki yurumi ga hitsuyōdesu

We need moments of relaxation sometimes.

Sometimes we need laxity.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 時々 - "sometimes" in Japanese
• 弛み - "relaxamento" in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 必要 - "Necessário" in Japanese
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a formal or polite statement.

私たちは同意しました。

Watashitachi wa dōi shimashita

We agree.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 同意 - "we agree" in Japanese
• しました - A forma passada educada do verbo "fazer" em japonês é "しました" (shimashita).

私たちはゆとりを持って生きることが大切だと思います。

Watashitachi wa yutori o motte ikiru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I think it's important to live with lots of space.

• 私たち - 「私たち」
• は - Japanese topic particle
• ゆとり - "Space" or "Margin" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持って - "Have" or "Keep" in Japanese
• 生きる - "Viver" in Japanese
• こと - nominal particle in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 大切 - "importante" in Japanese
• と - Japanese quotation particle
• 思います - "Think" in Japanese (polite form)

私たちはぶらぶらと歩いていました。

Watashitachi wa burabura to aruite imashita

We were walking aimlessly.

We were walking around.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• ぶらぶら - adverb that means "wandering aimlessly" in Japanese
• と - connection particle in Japanese
• 歩いていました - verb "andar" conjugated in the past continuous tense in Japanese

私たちはついに到着しました。

Watashitachi wa tsui ni touchaku shimashita

We finally arrived.

Finally we arrived.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• ついに - "finalmente" in Japanese
• 到着 - "arrival" in Japanese
• しました - past form of the verb "to do" in Japanese

私たちはいつも味方です。

Watashitachi wa itsumo mikata desu

We are always allies.

We are always on your side.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• いつも - Always in Japanese
• 味方 - "ally" or "friend" in Japanese
• です - polite form of the verb "to be" in Japanese

私たちは自由と平等を宣言します。

Watashitachi wa jiyū to byōdō o sengen shimasu

We declare freedom and equality.

We declare freedom and equality.

• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• 自由 (jiyuu) - freedom
• と (to) - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• 平等 (byoudou) - equality
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 宣言します (sengen shimasu) - we declare

私たちは毎日同じクラスで勉強しています。

Watashitachi wa mainichi onaji kurasu de benkyou shiteimasu

We study every day in the same class.

We study in the same class every day.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎日 - "todos os dias" in Japanese
• 同じ - "the same" in Japanese
• クラス - "class" in Japanese
• で - Location particle in Japanese
• 勉強 - study in Japanese
• しています - The polished form of the verb "fazer" in Japanese