What shi actually does
Shi links clauses as items in a list of reasons or facts that point in the same direction. English equivalents include and, and besides, and what's more, or simply a pause between reasons. The important feeling is accumulation: each clause adds weight to a conclusion.
Compare kono mise, yasui kara suki, I like this shop because it's cheap, with kono mise, yasui shi, chikai shi, suki, I like it; it's cheap, it's close. The first gives the reason. The second builds a case, and it leaves room for more.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| この店、安いし、おいしいし、よく来るんだ。 | Kono mise, yasui shi, oishii shi, yoku kuru n da. | This place is cheap and the food's good, so I come here a lot. |
| 駅から近いし、静かだし、住みやすいです。 | Eki kara chikai shi, shizuka da shi, sumiyasui desu. | It's close to the station and quiet, so it's easy to live in. |
| 天気もいいし、散歩しよう。 | Tenki mo ii shi, sanpo shiyō. | The weather's nice too, so let's go for a walk. |
| お金もないし、時間もないし。 | O-kane mo nai shi, jikan mo nai shi. | I don't have the money, and I don't have the time. |
How to form it
Shi comes after a complete clause. In casual speech that clause is in plain form; in polite speech you can use desu or masu before shi. The trap is na-adjectives and nouns, which need da in plain form, because shi does not attach directly to the stem.
Past and negative forms work as you would expect, since shi simply follows whatever clause you have built.
| Word type | Plain + shi | Polite + shi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verb | 行くし | 行きますし | I'm going, and |
| Verb, past | もう食べたし | もう食べましたし | I've already eaten, and |
| Verb, negative | 時間がないし | 時間がありませんし | There's no time, and |
| I-adjective | 高いし | 高いですし | It's expensive, and |
| I-adjective, past | 楽しかったし | 楽しかったですし | It was fun, and |
| Na-adjective | 便利だし | 便利ですし | It's convenient, and |
| Noun | 雨だし | 雨ですし | It's raining, and |
| Noun, negative | 子どもじゃないし | 子どもじゃないですし | I'm not a child, and |
One shi, more reasons implied
A single shi is extremely common. Because the pattern means one of several reasons, using it only once suggests that other reasons exist, even if you do not name them. This is why shi can feel more natural than kara when you are giving a light, easygoing explanation.
It also makes your reasoning sound less absolute. Mō osoi kara kaeru means I'm going home because it's late, full stop. Mō osoi shi, kaeru means it's getting late, among other things, so I'll head off.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 雨だし、今日はうちにいよう。 | Ame da shi, kyō wa uchi ni iyō. | It's raining, so let's just stay in today. |
| もう遅いし、そろそろ帰ります。 | Mō osoi shi, sorosoro kaerimasu. | It's getting late, so I'll be heading off. |
| せっかく来たし、写真撮ろうよ。 | Sekkaku kita shi, shashin torō yo. | We came all this way, so let's take a photo. |
| 明日休みだし、ゆっくりしよう。 | Ashita yasumi da shi, yukkuri shiyō. | Tomorrow's a day off, so let's take it easy. |
| 安かったし、まあいいか。 | Yasukatta shi, mā ii ka. | It was cheap, so I suppose it's fine. |
Leaving the conclusion unsaid
Japanese speakers often stop after the reasons and let the listener supply the conclusion. With shi this is especially natural, because the reasons already point in one direction. Trailing off with shi ... or adding ne or sa in casual speech keeps the tone soft.
This is the most practical use for learners: declining an invitation or pushing back on a suggestion without a flat no. You state one or two reasons, add a hesitant chotto or a trailing pause, and the other person understands.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 明日早いし…。 | Ashita hayai shi... | I have an early start tomorrow, so... |
| 今月ちょっと忙しいですし…。 | Kongetsu chotto isogashii desu shi... | I'm a bit busy this month, so... |
| まだ仕事も残ってるし、今日はちょっと。 | Mada shigoto mo nokotteru shi, kyō wa chotto. | I've still got work left, so today's a bit difficult. |
| 遠いし、高いしね。 | Tōi shi, takai shi ne. | It's far and it's expensive, you know. |
| 別にいいけど、もう決めたし。 | Betsu ni ii kedo, mō kimeta shi. | It's fine, but I've already decided anyway. |
Shi compared with kara and node
Kara and node both mark a cause. Kara is direct and subjective, node sounds more objective and polite, and both suggest that the reason given is the reason. Shi presents reasons as a list and makes no such claim. The detailed guide to kara, node and tame covers those two properly; the question here is when shi is the better fit.
Use kara or node when there is one clear cause, for example explaining a delay to your manager. Use shi when you are building a case, making a recommendation, or giving a soft excuse. The two can also combine: yasui shi, chikai kara, tokidoki iku, with kara on the last reason as the one that tips it.
| Pattern | Feeling | Example | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| から | This is the reason | 高いから買わない。 | Direct explanation |
| ので | This is the reason, stated calmly | 電車が遅れたので遅刻しました。 | Polite apology or report |
| し | This is one reason among several | 高いし、いらないし、買わない。 | Casual case-building or soft refusal |
| し…から | Several reasons, the last one decides | 近いし、安いから、ここにしよう。 | Recommendation |
In an apology at work, shi can sound like piling up excuses. Densha ga okureta shi, michi mo konde ita shi, when your boss asks why you are late, lists every factor and may sound defensive. One reason with node is cleaner.
Shi compared with the te-form
The te-form also joins adjectives, as in yasukute oishii, cheap and tasty. The difference is purpose. The te-form describes: it lists qualities of one thing in a neutral way. Shi argues: it lists qualities as reasons for something, whether you say that something or not.
The te-form can also give a cause for feelings or states, such as okurete sumimasen, sorry for being late. Shi cannot do that job, because it is about listing reasons, not tying one cause to one result.
| Sentence | What it does | Natural translation |
|---|---|---|
| 安くておいしい店です。 | Describes the restaurant | It's a cheap, tasty restaurant. |
| 安いし、おいしいし、おすすめです。 | Gives reasons for recommending it | It's cheap and tasty, so I recommend it. |
| 頭が痛くて、休みました。 | Links a cause to what happened | I had a headache, so I took the day off. |
| 頭も痛いし、今日は休みます。 | Gives one of several reasons for a choice | My head hurts too, so I'm taking today off. |
Useful partners: sore ni, shikamo and mo
When you want to add another reason as a new sentence, sore ni, besides, is the natural bridge. Shikamo, what's more, adds a reason that is even stronger than the previous one. Mo inside each clause keeps the sense of also.
These make your reasoning sound fluent without piling up shi after shi, which can start to sound like a child listing complaints if you use four or five in a row.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 駅に近いし、それに家賃も安いんです。 | Eki ni chikai shi, sore ni yachin mo yasui n desu. | It's near the station, and besides, the rent is cheap. |
| おいしいし、しかも量が多い。 | Oishii shi, shikamo ryō ga ōi. | It's tasty, and what's more, the portions are big. |
| 景色もきれいだし、人も優しいし。 | Keshiki mo kirei da shi, hito mo yasashii shi. | The scenery's beautiful and the people are kind. |
| なんで行かないの？ | Nande ikanai no? | Why aren't you going? |
| だって、疲れてるし。 | Datte, tsukareteru shi. | Well, I'm tired, for one thing. |
Common mistakes with shi
- Dropping da after na-adjectives and nouns: say shizuka da shi or gakusei da shi, not shizuka shi.
- Using shi for a single, decisive cause in a formal apology: node usually sounds better.
- Chaining too many shi clauses: two or three is natural; after that, use sore ni or start a new sentence.
- Using shi in formal writing: reports and essays usually prefer ue ni, mata or sara ni.
- Saying a bare sentence-final shi to a superior: it can sound defensive, so add ne or finish the sentence.
- Confusing shi with the te-form for description: yasukute oishii describes, yasui shi oishii shi argues.