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A2 adjective #300 mais comum 8 min de leitura

新しい

atarashii Top 300

At the A1 level, you should focus on using 'atarashii' to describe simple physical objects. You will learn it as a basic i-adjective that goes before a noun, like 'atarashii hon' (a new book) or 'atarashii kuruma' (a new car). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex conjugations; just remember that it ends in 'i' and means the opposite of 'furui' (old). You might use it to talk about things you bought recently or things you see in a classroom. The goal is to be able to identify new objects and make simple statements like 'Kore wa atarashii desu' (This is new). You should also practice the negative form 'atarashikunai' to say something is not new, which is a common way to describe used items.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'atarashii' in more varied contexts, such as describing experiences or people. You might talk about an 'atarashii tomodachi' (new friend) or an 'atarashii shigoto' (new job). You should be comfortable with the basic past tense 'atarashikatta' (was new) and the past negative 'atarashikunakatta' (was not new). You will also start to see 'atarashii' used in common phrases like 'atarashii toshi' (new year). At this level, you should understand that 'atarashii' is used for things that are recently acquired or recently made. You might also start to notice the difference between 'atarashii' and 'shinsen' (fresh), although 'atarashii' is still your primary word for most situations.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'atarashii' to describe abstract concepts and more complex situations. You might talk about an 'atarashii kangaekata' (a new way of thinking) or 'atarashii gijutsu' (new technology). You will use the te-form 'atarashikute' to connect adjectives, such as 'atarashikute kirei na mise' (a new and beautiful shop). You should also be able to use the adverbial form 'atarashiku' to describe actions, like 'atarashiku hajimeta shumi' (a hobby I newly started). At this stage, you are expected to understand the nuances of 'atarashii' when used in social contexts, such as the excitement of a new school term or the introduction of a new product in a market.

At the B2 level, you will encounter 'atarashii' in more formal and academic contexts. You should be able to distinguish between 'atarashii' and its Sino-Japanese counterparts like 'shinki' (new/initial) or 'saishin' (latest). You will understand how 'atarashii' is used in literature to symbolize rebirth or change. You should be comfortable using 'atarashii' in comparative and superlative forms, such as 'motto atarashii houhou' (a newer method) or 'sekai de ichiban atarashii' (the newest in the world). You will also start to see the word used in idiomatic expressions and more complex sentence structures involving conditional forms like 'atarashikereba' (if it is new).

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the historical and cultural weight of 'atarashii.' You can discuss the etymological shift from 'precious' to 'new' and how this affects the word's connotation in classical literature. You are able to use 'atarashii' to critique modern society, discussing 'atarashii kachikan' (new values) or 'atarashii shakai chitsujo' (a new social order). You can seamlessly switch between 'atarashii' and more specialized terms like 'zanshin' (novel/original) or 'kakushinteki' (innovative) depending on the desired tone. Your usage is nuanced, reflecting an awareness of how 'newness' is perceived in different Japanese social strata.

At the C2 level, you use 'atarashii' with the precision of a native speaker, including its use in highly specialized fields like philosophy, art criticism, or historical analysis. You understand the subtle irony or sarcasm that can be conveyed with the word in certain contexts. You can appreciate and use the word in its archaic forms or in poetic contexts where 'atarashii' might evoke a sense of fleeting beauty or the transience of time (mono no aware). You are also proficient in using the word within complex grammatical constructions that involve high-level particles and literary endings, demonstrating a complete mastery of both the word's meaning and its structural versatility.

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

新しい em 30 segundos

Atarashii is a versatile i-adjective meaning 'new' or 'fresh,' used for objects, ideas, and people in daily Japanese life.
It follows standard i-adjective conjugation rules, changing to 'atarashikunai' for negative and 'atarashikatta' for the past tense.
Culturally, it carries a positive connotation of renewal and vitality, often celebrated in seasonal changes and product launches.
While common, it should be distinguished from 'shinsen' (fresh food) and 'saishin' (latest technology) for more precise communication.

The Japanese word 新しい (atarashii) is one of the most fundamental i-adjectives in the Japanese language, primarily translated as 'new' or 'fresh.' However, its usage extends far beyond the simple English equivalent, encompassing concepts of novelty, modernity, and even a sense of spiritual or physical renewal. In Japanese culture, the concept of 'newness' is deeply intertwined with the Shinto belief in purification and the cyclical nature of life. This is why you see the word applied to everything from the first harvest of tea (shin-cha) to the rebuilding of the Ise Grand Shrine every twenty years. When a Japanese speaker says something is 'atarashii,' they are often not just commenting on its age, but on its vitality and the absence of wear or impurity.

Temporal Newness: This refers to items that have recently been produced or purchased. For example, a car straight from the factory or a book just released in stores. In this context, it is the direct opposite of furui (old).
Freshness and Vitality: Used frequently in the culinary world to describe ingredients that are recently harvested or caught. While shinsen is a more formal term for 'fresh,' atarashii is common in daily conversation to describe fish, vegetables, or even the morning air.
Innovation and Modernity: Describes ideas, technologies, or styles that are avant-garde or modern. An 'atarashii kangae' (new way of thinking) suggests a break from tradition or a creative solution to a problem.

この新しい靴はとても履き心地が良いです。
(Kono atarashii kutsu wa totemo hakigochi ga yoi desu.)
These new shoes are very comfortable to wear.

Historically, the word has undergone a fascinating semantic shift. In Old Japanese, the word was atarashi, but it actually meant 'regrettable' or 'precious' (as in something so valuable it would be a shame to lose it). Over centuries, this feeling of 'preciousness' evolved into the modern meaning of 'new'—something that is fresh and therefore highly valued. This historical nuance still subtly colors the word today, implying that something 'new' is not just recent, but carries a certain potential or value that 'old' things might have lost.

彼はいつも新しいことに挑戦している。
(Kare wa itsumo atarashii koto ni chousen shite iru.)
He is always challenging himself with new things.

Social Context: In a corporate setting, 'atarashii' might be used to describe a 'shin-jin' (new person/recruit). However, for a newly established company, the term 'shinsetsu' is more common. Understanding when to use the native Japanese 'atarashii' versus the Sino-Japanese 'shin-' prefix is key to sounding natural.

Using 新しい (atarashii) correctly requires an understanding of i-adjective grammar. Unlike English adjectives, Japanese i-adjectives function similarly to verbs, containing tense and polarity within their endings. This section explores the grammatical structures and common patterns used with this word.

1. Basic Attributive and Predicative Use

The most straightforward way to use 'atarashii' is to place it directly before a noun (attributive) or at the end of a sentence (predicative).

Attributive (Before Noun): 新しい車 (atarashii kuruma) - A new car. Here, the adjective modifies the noun directly without any particles.
Predicative (End of Sentence): この車は新しいです (Kono kuruma wa atarashii desu) - This car is new. In polite speech, we add 'desu' after the dictionary form.

2. Conjugation Patterns

Because 'atarashii' is an i-adjective, it changes its ending to reflect different meanings. This is a crucial area for learners to master.

Form	Japanese	English
Present Affirmative	新しい (atarashii)	is new
Present Negative	新しくない (atarashikunai)	is not new
Past Affirmative	新しかった (atarashikatta)	was new
Past Negative	新しくなかった (atarashikunakatta)	was not new
Te-form (Connecting)	新しくて (atarashikute)	is new and...

そのパソコンはあまり新しくなかったです。
(Sono pasokon wa amari atarashikunakatta desu.)
That computer was not very new.

3. Adverbial Use

To use 'atarashii' as an adverb (meaning 'newly' or 'anew'), change the final 'i' to 'ku'.

新しく家を建てました。
(Atarashiku ie o tatemashita.)
I newly built a house / I built a new house.

In Japan, the word 新しい (atarashii) is ubiquitous, appearing in advertisements, news broadcasts, casual conversations, and formal literature. Understanding the environments where this word thrives will help you grasp its social weight.

1. Marketing and Advertising

Japanese marketing relies heavily on the appeal of the 'new.' You will constantly see the phrase 新発売 (shin-hatsubai), which means 'newly on sale' or 'new release.' While this uses the kanji 'shin,' the spoken voiceovers in commercials often use 'atarashii' to describe the product's features.

「新しい味、登場！」
(Atarashii aji, toujou!)
"A new flavor has arrived!" (Common commercial catchphrase)

2. Daily Life and Shopping

When shopping for groceries, customers often look for the 'atarashii' items at the back of the shelf to ensure maximum shelf life. In a clothing store, a clerk might bring you a 'new' item from the stockroom if the display model is slightly worn.

すみません、もっと新しいものはありますか？
(Sumimasen, motto atarashii mono wa arimasu ka?)
Excuse me, do you have a newer one?

3. Education and School Life

The Japanese school year begins in April, which is a season defined by 'atarashii.' Students get atarashii kyookasho (new textbooks), atarashii kurasu (new classes), and atarashii tomodachi (new friends). The word carries a sense of excitement and nervousness during this time.

News Reports: Broadcasters use 'atarashii' when discussing 'atarashii jouhou' (new information) or 'atarashii gijutsu' (new technology). It signals that the information is breaking or current.
Workplace: When a project starts, a manager might say, 'Atarashii purojekuto ga hajimarimasu' (A new project is starting). It sets a tone of a fresh start.

While 新しい (atarashii) seems simple, English speakers often fall into several traps due to differences in adjective types and nuances of 'freshness.'

1. Confusing Adjective Types

The most common error is treating 'atarashii' like a na-adjective or a noun. Because it ends in 'i,' it must follow i-adjective conjugation rules.

Mistake: Using 'atarashii janai' for 'not new.'
Correction: The correct form is 新しくない (atarashikunai). 'Janai' is used for nouns and na-adjectives.

2. 'Fresh' vs. 'New'

In English, we use 'fresh' for many things: fresh air, fresh bread, fresh ideas. In Japanese, 'atarashii' covers some of these, but not all.

Fresh Air: Use shinsen na kuuki, not atarashii kuuki. 'Atarashii kuuki' sounds like air that was just invented.
Fresh Water: Use mizu or shinsen na mizu. 'Atarashii mizu' usually means water that was just poured into a glass.

3. 'New' as in 'Newly Established'

When talking about a building or a company that was recently built or founded, 'atarashii' is okay, but shinsetsu (newly established) or shinchiku (newly built) are more precise in formal contexts.

❌ このビルは新しいです。
✅ このビルは新築です。
(While the first is grammatically correct, the second is more natural for real estate.)

4. Misusing 'Arata'

Learners sometimes see the word arata (another word for new) and try to use it like 'atarashii.' However, arata is a na-adjective and is much more formal and literary. Stick to 'atarashii' for daily life.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for 'newness,' with different words used depending on the level of formality and the specific object being described. Here is how 新しい (atarashii) compares to its synonyms.

新鮮 (Shinsen)

Meaning: Fresh.

Usage: Used primarily for food (fish, vegetables) and air. It is a na-adjective.

Example: 新鮮な魚 (Shinsen na sakana) - Fresh fish.

新た (Arata)

Meaning: New, fresh, novel.

Usage: A formal na-adjective used in writing or formal speeches. It often implies a 'fresh start' or a 'new phase.'

Example: 新たな一歩 (Arata na ippo) - A new step forward.

最新 (Saishin)

Meaning: Latest, newest.

Usage: Used for technology, fashion, or news. It is a noun that often takes 'no' to modify other nouns.

Example: 最新のモデル (Saishin no moderu) - The latest model.

新規 (Shinki)

Meaning: New, initial, startup.

Usage: A business term used for new accounts, new projects, or new customers.

Example: 新規顧客 (Shinki kokyaku) - New customer.

Comparison Summary

While 'atarashii' is the 'all-purpose' word for new, choosing a more specific synonym can make your Japanese sound much more sophisticated. Use 'shinsen' for food, 'saishin' for tech, and 'shinki' for business. Use 'atarashii' for everything else in daily life.

このアイディアはとても斬新ですね。
(Kono aidia wa totemo zanshin desu ne.)
This idea is very original/novel. (Zanshin is a great word for 'innovative')

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutro

Informal

Child friendly

Gíria

Curiosidade

The kanji for 'atarashii' (新) consists of three parts: a tree (木), a stand (立), and an axe (斤). It originally depicted the act of cutting down a tree with an axe to get fresh wood, which is the essence of 'newness.'

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ætəˈræʃiː/

US /ɑːtɑːˈrɑːʃiː/

Pitch accent is usually Low-High-High-High (a-TA-RA-SHII).

Rima com

Ureshii (Happy) Kanashii (Sad) Yasashii (Kind) Oishii (Delicious) Tanashii (Fun - though 'tanoshii' is the correct word) Sabishii (Lonely) Isogashii (Busy) Muzukashii (Difficult)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r'.
Shortening the final 'ii' sound.
Misplacing the pitch accent on the first syllable.
Pronouncing 'shi' as 'si'.
Treating it as a four-syllable word instead of five (a-ta-ra-shi-i).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

The kanji is common but has many strokes. The hiragana is easy.

Escrita 3/5

Writing the kanji '新' requires practice with stroke order.

Expressão oral 1/5

Very easy to pronounce and use in basic sentences.

Audição 1/5

Clearly distinguishable in conversation.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

古い (Furui) いい (Ii) これ (Kore) 車 (Kuruma) 本 (Hon)

Aprenda a seguir

新鮮 (Shinsen) 最新 (Saishin) 珍しい (Mezurashii) 面白い (Omoshiroi) 明るい (Akarui)

Avançado

刷新 (Sassin) 斬新 (Zanshin) 新鋭 (Shinei) 新進気鋭 (Shinshin-kiei)

Gramática essencial

I-adjective conjugation

新しい -> 新しくない -> 新しかった

Adjective + Noun

新しい + 本 = 新しい本

Adverbial form (-ku)

新しく + 作る = 新しく作る

Te-form for connection

新しくて + 良い = 新しくて良い

Noun form (-sa)

新しい -> 新しさ

Exemplos por nível

新しい本を買いました。

I bought a new book.

Attributive use: atarashii + hon.

この靴は新しいです。

These shoes are new.

Predicative use: atarashii + desu.

新しい先生は優しいです。

The new teacher is kind.

Modifying a person (teacher).

新しいペンがありますか。

Do you have a new pen?

Question form with 'ka'.

それは新しくないです。

That is not new.

Negative form: atarashikunai.

新しい友達ができました。

I made a new friend.

Common phrase for making friends.

新しい家は大きいです。

The new house is big.

Describing a property.

新しい服を着ます。

I will wear new clothes.

Direct object with 'o'.

新しい仕事を始めました。

I started a new job.

Describing a life change.

去年の冬は新しかった。

Last winter was new (meaning a new experience).

Past tense: atarashikatta.

新しくない車を売りました。

I sold a car that wasn't new.

Negative attributive use.

新しい言葉を覚えたいです。

I want to memorize new words.

Describing learning.

この店は新しくてきれいです。

This shop is new and clean.

Te-form for connecting adjectives.

新しい趣味を見つけました。

I found a new hobby.

Describing a discovery.

もっと新しい雑誌をください。

Please give me a newer magazine.

Comparative with 'motto'.

新しい年が始まります。

A new year is beginning.

Common phrase for New Year.

新しく家を建てることにしました。

I decided to build a new house.

Adverbial use: atarashiku.

新しい技術が世界を変えています。

New technology is changing the world.

Abstract noun modification.

彼はいつも新しいアイディアを出します。

He always comes up with new ideas.

Describing creativity.

新しく入った社員を紹介します。

I will introduce the newly joined employee.

Adverbial use with a verb.

この映画は新しい視点を与えてくれます。

This movie gives us a new perspective.

Metaphorical use.

新しくなった駅はとても広いです。

The renovated (become new) station is very spacious.

Atarashiku + naru (to become).

新しい生活に慣れましたか。

Have you gotten used to your new life?

Describing a lifestyle.

新しければ、何でもいいです。

As long as it's new, anything is fine.

Conditional form: atarashikereba.

政府は新しい経済政策を発表した。

The government announced a new economic policy.

Formal/Political context.

新しい時代にふさわしい教育が必要です。

Education suitable for a new era is necessary.

Abstract/Societal context.

その発見は、科学界に新しい風を吹き込んだ。

That discovery brought a new wind (fresh air) to the scientific community.

Idiomatic expression: atarashii kaze.

新しく開発された薬が効果を上げている。

The newly developed medicine is proving effective.

Passive construction with adverbial use.

新しい試みとして、リモートワークを導入した。

As a new attempt, we introduced remote work.

Describing a business trial.

この作家の新しいスタイルは賛否両論だ。

This author's new style has mixed reviews.

Discussing artistic style.

新しい環境に身を置くことは大切だ。

It is important to place oneself in a new environment.

Self-development context.

新しくオープンしたカフェは行列ができている。

The newly opened cafe has a long line.

Compound verb phrase.

その論文は、言語学における新しい地平を切り拓いた。

That paper opened up new horizons in linguistics.

Academic/Metaphorical use.

伝統を守りつつ、新しい価値を創造することが求められている。

We are required to create new value while preserving tradition.

Complex societal discussion.

新しい憲法の解釈を巡って、激しい議論が交わされた。

Fierce debates were held over the interpretation of the new constitution.

Legal/Formal context.

彼の音楽には、どこか新しさが欠けているように感じる。

I feel that his music somehow lacks 'newness' (novelty).

Noun form: atarashisa.

新しい知見に基づき、計画を修正する必要がある。

It is necessary to revise the plan based on new findings.

Professional/Technical context.

都市開発によって、街は新しい顔を見せ始めた。

Due to urban development, the city began to show a new face.

Personification of a city.

新しい世代の台頭が、産業構造を根底から変えようとしている。

The rise of a new generation is about to fundamentally change the industrial structure.

Sociopolitical analysis.

その演出は、古典演劇に新しい命を吹き込んだ。

That direction breathed new life into classical theater.

Artistic critique.

ポストモダニズム以降、真に「新しい」表現とは何かという問いが繰り返されてきた。

Since postmodernism, the question of what truly 'new' expression is has been repeated.

Philosophical inquiry.

新しいパラダイムの構築には、既存の概念の徹底的な解体が必要である。

Building a new paradigm requires a thorough deconstruction of existing concepts.

High-level academic discourse.

その建築家は、素材の新しい可能性を極限まで追求した。

The architect pursued the new possibilities of materials to the limit.

Professional architectural critique.

量子力学の出現は、物理学における新しい夜明けを告げるものであった。

The emergence of quantum mechanics heralded a new dawn in physics.

Historical/Scientific metaphor.

新しい秩序が形成される過程で、必然的に摩擦が生じる。

In the process of forming a new order, friction inevitably arises.

Sociological principle.

その文学作品は、言語の新しい地平を拓く野心的な試みであった。

That literary work was an ambitious attempt to open up new horizons of language.

Literary analysis.

我々は、新しい時代の要請に応えるべく、自己変革を遂げなければならない。

We must achieve self-transformation to meet the demands of the new era.

Formal/Inspirational speech.

新しい認識論的枠組みが、我々の世界観を再定義するだろう。

A new epistemological framework will redefine our worldview.

Highly abstract philosophical context.

Colocações comuns

新しい車

新しい友達

新しい仕事

新しいアイディア

新しい時代

新しい技術

新しい服

新しい生活

新しい発見

新しい年

Frases Comuns

新しいもの好き

新しい門出

新しい風

新しい顔

新しい一歩

新しい道

新しい世界

新しい自分

新しい試み

新しい発見

Frequentemente confundido com

新しい vs 新鮮 (Shinsen)

Use shinsen for food/air; use atarashii for objects/ideas.

新しい vs 珍しい (Mezurashii)

Mezurashii means 'rare' or 'unusual,' not just 'new'.

新しい vs 最新 (Saishin)

Saishin is 'the latest,' whereas atarashii is just 'new'.

Expressões idiomáticas

"新しい酒を古い革袋に盛る"

Putting new wine into old wineskins (new ideas in an old system).

新しいシステムを導入しても、考え方が古いままでは「新しい酒を古い革袋に盛る」ようなものだ。

Literary

"新しい畳でも叩けば埃が出る"

Even new tatami mats produce dust if beaten (everyone has flaws).

完璧に見える彼でも、新しい畳でも叩けば埃が出るというものだ。

Proverb

"新しいものには目がない"

To have a weakness for new things.

彼女は新しいものには目がなくて、すぐ買ってしまう。

Informal

"新しい風を吹き込む"

To bring a fresh perspective or change.

彼の加入は、停滞していたプロジェクトに新しい風を吹き込んだ。

Neutral

"新しい血を入れる"

To bring in new people to revitalize an organization.

組織を活性化するために、新しい血を入れる必要がある。

Neutral

"新しい地平を拓く"

To open up new horizons.

この研究は、医学の新しい地平を拓くだろう。

Formal

"新しい命を吹き込む"

To breathe new life into something.

古い建物を改装して、新しい命を吹き込んだ。

Neutral

"新しい門出を祝う"

To celebrate a new beginning.

二人の新しい門出を祝って乾杯しましょう。

Formal

"新しい顔ぶれ"

A new lineup of people.

今回の会議は新しい顔ぶれが多い。

Neutral

"新しい時代を築く"

To build or usher in a new era.

彼らは新しい時代を築くリーダーだ。

Formal

Fácil de confundir

新しい vs 新た (Arata)

Both mean new.

Arata is a na-adjective and much more formal/literary. Atarashii is an i-adjective for daily use.

新たな一歩 (A new step) vs 新しい靴 (New shoes)

新しい vs 新設 (Shinsetsu)

Both relate to new things.

Shinsetsu is a noun/verb meaning 'newly established' (like a school). Atarashii is a general adjective.

新設された学部 (Newly established department)

新しい vs 新築 (Shinchiku)

Both used for buildings.

Shinchiku specifically means 'newly built.' Atarashii just means 'new' (could be a new rental).

新築マンション (Newly built condo)

新しい vs 生 (Nama)

Both can mean 'fresh'.

Nama means 'raw' or 'live.' Atarashii means 'recently made.'

生放送 (Live broadcast) vs 新しい放送 (New broadcast)

新しい vs 初 (Hatsu)

Both relate to 'first' or 'new'.

Hatsu is a prefix for 'the first time.' Atarashii is the state of being new.

初雪 (First snow) vs 新しい雪 (New/fresh snow)

Padrões de frases

[Noun] は新しいです。

この本は新しいです。

新しい [Noun] です。

新しい車です。

新しい [Noun] を [Verb]。

新しい靴を買いました。

[Noun] は新しくないです。

この服は新しくないです。

新しく [Verb]。

新しく家を建てました。

新しくて [Adjective] です。

新しくてきれいです。

新しい [Abstract Noun]。

新しい技術が重要です。

新しい [Noun] の [Noun]。

新しい時代の幕開け。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Como usar

frequency

Extremely high. It is in the top 500 most used words in Japanese.

Erros comuns

新しいじゃない (Atarashii janai) → 新しくない (Atarashikunai)
I-adjectives do not use 'janai' for negation. You must change the 'i' to 'kunai'.
新しいの車 (Atarashii no kuruma) → 新しい車 (Atarashii kuruma)
I-adjectives modify nouns directly. Do not use the particle 'no'.
新しい空気 (Atarashii kuuki) → 新鮮な空気 (Shinsen na kuuki)
For 'fresh air,' 'shinsen' is the natural choice. 'Atarashii' sounds like the air was just created.
新しいかった (Atarashii katta) → 新しかった (Atarashikatta)
When making the past tense, you must drop the final 'i' before adding 'katta'.
新しくなです (Atarashiku na desu) → 新しくないです (Atarashikunai desu)
The negative polite form is 'atarashikunai desu'. Don't drop the 'i' from 'kunai'.

Dicas

I-Adjective Rule

Always remember that 'atarashii' is an i-adjective. This means it never takes 'na' or 'no' when modifying a noun directly.

Use 'Saishin' for Tech

When talking about the latest gadgets or software, 'saishin' (最新) sounds much more professional than 'atarashii'.

New Year Context

During the New Year, you'll hear 'atarashii' a lot. It's a time of renewal, so use it to talk about your resolutions!

Adverbial 'Atarashiku'

Use 'atarashiku' + verb to describe doing something in a new way or starting something over.

Listen for 'Shin-'

In news and ads, listen for the prefix 'shin-' (like shin-hatsubai). It's the kanji for 'atarashii' working in a compound.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 新 is used in 'newspaper' (shinbun). Learning it helps you recognize many other words!

Atarashii vs. Shinsen

If you're at a market, use 'shinsen' for fish. If you're at a car dealer, use 'atarashii'.

Avoid 'Janai'

Never say 'atarashii janai'. It's always 'atarashikunai'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.

Zanshin for Ideas

If an idea is really cool and innovative, try using 'zanshin' (斬新) instead of just 'atarashii'.

Daily Labeling

Look around your house and label things as 'atarashii' or 'furui' to build instant recall.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine an 'ATARI' game console. When it first came out, it was the most 'ATARASHII' (new) thing in the world.

Associação visual

Picture a bright, shiny gold coin. It's 'atarashii' (new) and 'atarashi' (precious).

Word Web

New Fresh Modern Latest Innovation Renewal Start Clean

Desafio

Try to find five things in your room that are 'atarashii' and five things that are 'furui'. Say the sentences out loud: 'Kore wa atarashii desu' or 'Kore wa furui desu'.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Old Japanese word 'atarashi' (written as 惜し), which originally meant 'precious,' 'valuable,' or 'something so good it would be a waste to lose.' Over time, the meaning shifted from 'precious' to 'fresh/new,' as new things are often perceived as the most precious.

Significado original: Precious, valuable, regrettable to lose.

Japonic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when calling a person 'atarashii' (new). Use 'shinjin' for a new employee or 'tenkousei' for a new student to be more natural.

In English, 'new' can sometimes imply 'inexperienced' or 'untested' in a negative way. In Japanese, 'atarashii' is almost always positive.

Shin-Goira (Shin Godzilla) - Using the 'Shin' kanji for a 'new' version. Shinkansen - The 'New Trunk Line' (Bullet Train). Shin-Seiki Evangelion - Neon Genesis Evangelion (New Century).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Shopping

新しいのはありますか？
一番新しいモデルです。
新製品です。
新しい色がいいです。

School/Work

新しいクラスです。
新しいプロジェクト。
新しい同僚。
新しいスキルを学ぶ。

Food

新しいメニュー。
新しい味。
新しい店。
新しいお茶。

Technology

新しいスマホ。
新しい機能。
新しいアプリ。
新しいバージョン。

Relationships

新しい友達。
新しい出会い。
新しい恋人。
新しい家族。

Iniciadores de conversa

"最近、何か新しいことを始めましたか？ (Have you started anything new recently?)"

"その新しいバッグ、素敵ですね！ (That new bag is lovely!)"

"新しいiPhoneについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the new iPhone?)"

"この街で新しいレストランを知っていますか？ (Do you know any new restaurants in this town?)"

"新しい年はどこで過ごしますか？ (Where will you spend the New Year?)"

Temas para diário

今日見つけた新しいものについて書いてください。 (Write about something new you found today.)

新しい趣味を始めるとしたら、何をしたいですか？ (If you were to start a new hobby, what would you want to do?)

新しい自分になるために、何を変えたいですか？ (What do you want to change to become a new version of yourself?)

最近買った新しいものの中で、一番のお気に入りは何ですか？ (What is your favorite among the new things you bought recently?)

新しい環境に慣れるためのコツは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the trick to getting used to a new environment?)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, but be careful. 'Atarashii tomodachi' (new friend) is fine. However, for a 'new employee,' 'shinjin' is more natural. Using 'atarashii hito' might sound like you're talking about a new person in a romantic sense or a replacement.

'Atarashii' is the general word for 'new.' 'Shinsen' specifically means 'fresh' and is used for things like fish, vegetables, and air. You wouldn't call a new car 'shinsen' unless it was literally made of vegetables!

Since 'atarashii' is an i-adjective, the negative form is 'atarashikunai.' Avoid saying 'atarashii janai,' which is a common mistake for beginners.

It can be, but 'saishin' is more precise. For example, 'saishin no iPhone' sounds more like 'the latest iPhone' than 'atarashii iPhone,' which just means 'a new iPhone' (could be an older model you just bought).

No. For 'fresh/cool air,' use 'suzushii.' 'Atarashii' only means 'fresh' in the sense of 'recently produced' or 'not old.'

Drop the final 'i' and add 'katta.' So, 'atarashikatta' means 'was new.' To make it polite, add 'desu': 'atarashikatta desu.'

The kanji is 新. It is composed of parts meaning 'tree,' 'stand,' and 'axe,' symbolizing cutting fresh wood.

Yes, 'atarashii' can describe modern ideas or styles. However, 'gendaiteki' is a more specific word for 'modern' in an architectural or historical sense.

Yes, 'atarashisa' (newness/novelty). You can use it like: 'Kono dezain ni wa atarashisa ga nai' (This design lacks newness).

The most common opposite is 'furui' (old). For second-hand items, 'chuuko' is also used.