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:

私たちの家は公園に面しています。

Watashitachi no ie wa kōen ni menshite imasu

Our house faces the park.

Our house faces the park.

• 私たちの - 私たち
• 家 - "house" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 公園 - "parque" in Japanese
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 面しています - "facing" in Japanese

私たちの住居は新しいです。

Watashitachi no jūkyo wa atarashii desu

Our residence is new.

• 私たちの - 「私たち」
• 住居 - "Residence" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 新しい - "New" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私たちの人生は常に変わるものです。

Watashitachi no jinsei wa tsuneni kawaru mono desu

Our life is always changing.

• 私たちの - 私たち
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 常に - Always in Japanese
• 変わる - "change" in Japanese
• もの - "thing" in Japanese
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in its polite form.

私たちは仲良しです。

Watashitachi wa nakayoshi desu

We are close friends.

We are good friends.

• 私たち - means "we" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "we".
• 仲良し - means "friends" in Japanese, but with a closer, more intimate connotation.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that "we" are "friends".

私たちは一緒に素晴らしい時間を過ごしました。

Watashitachi wa issho ni subarashii jikan o sugoshimashita

We had a wonderful time together.

We had a wonderful time together.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
• 素晴らしい - "Maravilhoso" em japonês
• 時間を - "Tempo" em japonês
• 過ごしました - "Passamos" in Japanese is "私たちは通りました" (Watashitachi wa toorimashita).

私たちはあなたの期待に応えるために最善を尽くします。

Watashitachi wa anata no kitai ni kotaeru tame ni saizen o tsukushimasu

We will do our best to meet your expectations.

We will do our best to meet your expectations.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• あなたの - "Your" in Japanese
• 期待 - "Expectation" in Japanese
• に - Japanese particle indicating the target of an action
• 応える - "Answering in Japanese
• ために - "To" or "in order to" in Japanese
• 最善 - "Best" or "great" in Japanese
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of an action
• 尽くします - "Do your utmost" or "do everything possible" in Japanese

私たちの意見は合致しています。

Watashitachi no iken wa gōchi shite imasu

Our opinions correspond.

• 私たちの意見 (watashitachi no iken) - Our opinion
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 合致しています (gōchishiteimasu) - It's in agreement

私たちの会社は倒産しました。

Watashitachi no kaisha wa tousan shimashita

Our company went bankrupt.

Our company went bankrupt.

• 私たちの会社 (watashitachi no kaisha) - our company
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 倒産しました (tousan shimashita) - failed, went bankrupt

私たちの人生は常に移り変わっています。

Watashitachi no jinsei wa tsuneni utsuri kawatte imasu

Our lives are always changing.

Our life is always changing.

• 私たちの - personal pronoun plural that means "our"
• 人生 - substantive that means "life"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 常に - adverb meaning "always"
• 移り変わっています - verb that means "to change" or "to float" conjugated in the present continuous

私たちは庭に穴を掘りました。

Watashitachi wa niwa ni ana o horimashita

We dug a hole in the garden.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 庭 - "Jardim" in Japanese
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 穴 - "Buraco" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 掘りました - "Digging" in Japanese