Japanese · Adjectives
新しい
atarashii
New
Beginneradjective
Definition
Describes something recently made, acquired, or begun. The kanji 新 (shin/atara) appears in many words like 新幹線 (shinkansen, bullet train).
Example
新しいスマートフォンを買いました。
I bought a new smartphone.
Etymology
'新しい' (atarashii) originates from the root '新' (shin), meaning new or fresh, which has been consistently used throughout Japanese history to encapsulate innovation and novel experiences.
How & Where It’s Used
This word is widely used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing anything recently created, introduced, or discovered, and is recognized across all Japanese-speaking regions.
Literary Heritage
The concept of newness appears in various cultural texts, including idiomatic expressions and poems that celebrate the arrival of spring or new beginnings.