新しい

• Reading: あたらしい
• Romaji: atarashii
• Kanji breakdown: 新 (atara/shin) — new, fresh, novel
• Pronunciation: /a.ta.ɾa.ɕi.i/

Meaning

New; novel; fresh; recent. Describes something recently made, acquired, or started.

An i-adjective used for anything new: objects, people, ideas, or experiences. The antonym is 古い (old). Note the irregular reading — the kanji 新 is typically read しん in compounds, but あたらしい as an adjective. Conjugates regularly: 新しくない, 新しかった, 新しくなかった.

Examples

1. 新しい靴を買いました。 I bought new shoes.
2. この学校は新しくてきれいです。 This school is new and clean.
3. 新しい先生はとても優しいです。 The new teacher is very kind.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, shopping, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 新 combines 立 (stand), 木 (tree), and 斤 (axe), depicting a freshly cut tree — something newly created.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal