私

Meaning

I, private · yo, privado

Readings

• On (音読み): シ
• Kun (訓読み): わたくし・わたし

Example words

• 私（わたし）— I
• 私（わたくし）— I (formal)
• 私立（しりつ）— private (school)

Structure

Radical 禾 (のぎへん · Grain, rice plant) · 7 strokes · school grade 6

Watch out

Japanese drops 私 whenever context is clear, exactly like Spanish drops yo — 私は in every sentence sounds self-centered. わたくし is the formal reading (speeches, business). 私立 and 市立 are both しりつ, so people say わたくしりつ / いちりつ to tell them apart.