Meaning and Usage
The suffix ～史 (し) means "history of ~" and is attached to nouns to indicate the historical background or record of that noun. It is commonly used in academic, cultural, and business contexts.
Common Collocations
- 日本史 (にほんし): Japanese history
- 世界史 (せかいし): world history
- 文化史 (ぶんかし): cultural history
- 経済史 (けいざいし): economic history
Usage Notes
When you see ～史, it usually refers to a formal or scholarly history related to the attached noun. It is often used in school subjects, museum exhibits, or research contexts. For example, 日本史 means the history of Japan as a subject or field of study.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse ～史 with just the word 歴史 (れきし), which means "history" in general. ～史 is more specific and attached to a noun to specify the type of history, while 歴史 can stand alone to mean "history" broadly.
Register and Politeness
This suffix is neutral and formal, suitable for written and spoken language in academic or professional settings. It is not casual or colloquial.