“〜shi〜shi”: Both 〜 and 〜 (listing reasons) [JLPT N4]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

A compound expression using し to list multiple reasons.

“〜shi〜shi”: Both 〜 and 〜 (listing reasons)

「(plain form) ＋ し」 means “both 〜 and 〜, not only 〜 but also 〜” — listing multiple reasons or qualities, often implying ‘there's more.' E.g. 「この部屋は広いし、明るいし、気に入った」 (this room is both spacious and bright, so I like it), 「安いし、おいしいし、また来よう」 (it's cheap and tasty, let's come again). It lists several causes or merits (or demerits), with a stronger ‘accumulation of reasons' tone than the plain て-form. Common for explaining the multiple reasons you like/dislike something.

🧠 Core nuance: list several reasons, ‘and… and…'

The core is listing multiple reasons/qualities, implying there's more: using し to list several causes or features in a row (spacious, and bright → so I like it; cheap, and tasty → so I'll come again), with the accumulating feel of ‘not just one reason, there's more….' It's common for explaining the multiple grounds for a judgment or preference, with a stronger ‘these are all reasons' tone than the て-form (plain listing). ⚠️ Connection: verb・い-adj plain form ＋ し; noun・な-adj ＋ だ ＋ し (真面目だし, 学生だし). You can use just one し (implying there are other reasons: お金もないし…), or list two or more. Often followed by a conclusion (so…).

📌 How to Connect

💬 Example Sentences

• この部屋は広いし、明るいし、とても気に入った。(This room is both spacious and bright, so I really like it.) — listing merits
• あの店は安いし、おいしいし、また行きたい。(That shop is cheap and tasty, so I want to go again.) — listing reasons
• 彼は真面目だし、優しいし、信頼できる。(He's diligent and kind, so he's trustworthy.) — な-adj ＋ だし
• 今日は疲れたし、もう遅いし、帰ろう。(I'm tired and it's late, so let's go home.) — listing ＋ conclusion
• お金もないし、時間もないし…(I have no money and no time…) — listing (implied)

🔄 Compare: 〜し〜し vs て-form vs から vs や

⚠️ Common Mistakes

1. な-adj/noun connection: な-adjectives・nouns need 「だ ＋ し」 (真面目だし, 学生だし); ✗ 真面目し.
2. Implying there's more: し carries ‘not just this reason, there's more,' and you can use just one (お金もないし…).
3. Difference from the て-form: し stresses the accumulation of reasons; the て-form lists more neutrally.
4. Followed by a conclusion: often 「〜し、〜し、(so)…」 (疲れたし、遅いし、帰ろう).

💡 Nuance & When to Use

〜し〜し means “both 〜 and 〜, not only 〜 but also 〜,” listing multiple reasons or qualities, implying ‘there's more' (spacious and bright → like it, cheap and tasty → come again). Connection: verb・い-adj plain form ＋ し; noun・な-adj ＋ だ ＋ し. It stresses the ‘these are all reasons' accumulation more than the て-form, common for explaining the multiple grounds of preference or judgment, followed by a conclusion (so…). You can use just one し to imply more. A must at N4.

🎯 JLPT Exam Tips

• High-frequency N4: plain form ＋ し = both 〜 and 〜 (listing reasons/qualities, implying more); noun・な-adj ＋ だ ＋ し.
• Distinction: 〜し〜し (stressing accumulation of reasons) vs て-form (neutral listing) vs から (a single reason).
• Use: explaining multiple grounds of preference/judgment, followed by a conclusion; one し can imply more.

🖊️ 練習題（5題）

Q1. 「この部屋は広い___、明るい___、気に入った。」（又寬又亮）

(A) し、し　(B) て、て　(C) から、から　(D) のに、のに

Q2. 「彼は真面目___、信頼できる。」（他又認真，な形容詞接法）

(A) だし　(B) し　(C) なし　(D) でし

Q3. 「〜し〜し」が表すのは?

(A) 並列多個理由（暗示還有其他）

(B) 逆接

(C) 時間先後

(D) 條件

Q4. 「安いし、おいしい」の語感は?

(A) 又便宜又好吃（列舉好處）

(B) 雖然便宜但好吃

(C) 因為便宜所以好吃

(D) 便宜或好吃二選一

Q5. 接法が正しいのは?

(A) 静かだし、便利だ。　(B) 静かし、便利し。

(C) 学生し、若い。　(D) 暇し、行く。

答案解析

1. (A) し、し ── 並列理由(又寬又亮)。

2. (A) だし ── な形容詞＋だ＋し。

3. (A) ── 並列多個理由。

4. (A) ── 列舉好處(又便宜又好吃)。

5. (A) ── な形容詞・名詞要加だ(静かだし);(B)(C)(D)漏だ。