Readings: シ (Onyomi), わたし, わたくし (Kunyomi)
Meaning: I, private
The kanji 私 is a combination of 禾 (nogi-hen, representing grain or harvest) and 厶 (mu, a phonetic component meaning “private” or “selfish”). This combination suggests concepts related to “private grain” or “private property,” which evolved to signify “private” and ultimately “I” or “me” (my own, personal).
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 私 has 7 strokes. It starts with the left radical 禾 (nogi-hen), then completes the right side. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 禾 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- シ (shi)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- わたし (watashi)
- わたくし (watakushi)
Common Words Using 私
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 私立 | しりつ | private (institution) |
| 私費 | しひ | private expense |
| 私物 | しぶつ | private property |
| 私服 | しふく | plain clothes, civilian clothes |
| 私用 | しよう | private use |
| 私有 | しゆう | private ownership |
| 私見 | しけん | personal opinion |
| 私語 | しご | private conversation, whispering |
| 私邸 | してい | private residence |
| 私淑 | ししゅく | to admire and learn from afar |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 私 | わたし | I, me (general, polite) |
| 私 | わたくし | I, me (more formal, humble) |
| 私達 | わたしたち | we, us |
| 私ども | わたくしども | we, us (more humble, formal) |
| 私の | わたしの | my, mine |
| 私だけ | わたしだけ | only me |
| 私にとって | わたしにとって | for me, to me |
| 私が | わたしが | I (subject marker) |
| 私を | わたしを | me (object marker) |
| 私にも | わたしにも | to me as well, for me too |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 私の名前は田中です。
Kana: わたしのなまえはたなかです。
Romaji: Watashi no namae wa Tanaka desu.
English: My name is Tanaka.
Japanese: これは私の本です。
Kana: これはわたしのほんです。
Romaji: Kore wa watashi no hon desu.
English: This is my book.
Japanese: 私は学生です。
Kana: わたしはがくせいです。
Romaji: Watashi wa gakusei desu.
English: I am a student.
Japanese: 彼は私の友達です。
Kana: かれはわたしのともだちです。
Romaji: Kare wa watashi no tomodachi desu.
English: He is my friend.
Japanese: 私たちは明日、京都に行きます。
Kana: わたしたちはあした、きょうとへいきます。
Romaji: Watashitachi wa ashita, Kyoto e ikimasu.
English: We are going to Kyoto tomorrow.
Japanese: この学校は私立です。
Kana: このがっこうはしりつです。
Romaji: Kono gakkou wa shiritsu desu.
English: This school is private.
Japanese: 私の意見を述べます。
Kana: わたくしのいけんをのべます。
Romaji: Watakushi no iken o nobemasu.
English: I will state my opinion.
Japanese: それは私物です。
Kana: それはしぶつです。
Romaji: Sore wa shibutsu desu.
English: That is private property.
Japanese: 私はコーヒーが好きです。
Kana: わたしはコーヒーがすきです。
Romaji: Watashi wa koohii ga suki desu.
English: I like coffee.
Japanese: 私の夢は医者になることです。
Kana: わたしのゆめはいしゃになることです。
Romaji: Watashi no yume wa isha ni naru koto desu.
English: My dream is to become a doctor.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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