# し: and; what’s more > Learn how to use し, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning and; what’s more, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-shi/ **し** means **and; what’s more**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express the N4 idea of “and; what’s more” in natural Japanese. This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express the N4 idea of “and; what’s more” in natural Japanese, **し** is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics. ## What does し mean? Use **し** when you want to express the N4 idea of “and; what’s more” in natural Japanese. Natural translations include: - and - and what’s more - and; what’s more The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural. ## How to form し

Verb (plain form)+し

い-adjective+し

な-adjective+だ+し

Noun+だ+し

You can also chain multiple clauses: **A** し、**B** し、**C**. Examples of the pattern: - 安いし - 親切だし - 近いし Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form. ## When is し used? Use **し** in situations like: - explaining a condition, reason, decision, comparison, or time relationship - making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern - understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading Tone and register: - neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal - Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions ## し example sentences

この店みせは安やすいし、おいしいです。

This shop is cheap and tasty.

i-adj + し

今日きょうは寒さむいし、雨あめも降ふっています。

Today is cold, and it is raining too.

i-adj + し

彼かれは親切しんせつだし、日本語にほんごも上手じょうずです。

He is kind, and his Japanese is good too.

na-adj + だ + し

駅えきに近ちかいし、便利べんりです。

It is close to the station and convenient.

i-adj + し

忙いそがしいし、疲つかれているので、行いきません。

I am busy and tired, so I will not go.

i-adj + し

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, contrast, or emphasis. ## Nuance of し The key nuance is **and; what’s more in a sentence-specific context**. This matters because **し** may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, a contrast, or a social relationship. For example: - In context, **し** helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation. - Compared with **そして**, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences. ## し vs そして Both **し** and **そして** can appear in related sentences, but they are different.

し

Target JLPT N4 pattern that carries the specific nuance explained above

この店みせは安やすいし、おいしいです。

This shop is cheap and tasty.

そして

Useful for comparison because learners often mix it up; may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus

Compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, contrast, or politeness.

If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English. ## Common mistakes with し

❌

Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form

✅

Attach し to the plain form of verbs and adjectives, and to noun/na-adjective + だ.

❌

Confusing it with そして because the English translation can look similar

✅

Choose し when listing reasons or attributes; use そして to connect sequential events.

❌

Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context

✅

Read the full sentence to decide whether し is adding emphasis, reason, or simple listing.

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel. ## Is し on the JLPT?

Yes. し is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.

recognize it in reading
understand its nuance in context
use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.

## Practice questions for し

1 Write one sentence using the basic pattern. production

2 Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible. variation

3 Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section. contrast

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic. ## Learning path for し Use **し** as part of your **JLPT N4** listing, addition, and choice grammar toolkit. Use **し** to control how many items or reasons you present and how open-ended the list feels. Compare it with other listing and addition patterns so you can avoid making the sentence sound narrower than intended.

Make one short sentence with し to get comfortable with the plain-form attachment.

Compare it with それに. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.

Add でも or も to see how the nuance changes when you mix listing and emphasis grammar.

Write one sentence that uses し in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below.

## Related grammar to review next - [それに](/blog/n4-sore-ni/) — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information. - [でも](/blog/n4-demo/) — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information. - [も](/blog/n4-mo/) — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information. - [ばかり](/blog/n4-bakari/) — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information. ## Learn し with Hane If you want to review **し** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)