Structure
［い］Adjective［い］+ さ
［な］Adjective + さ
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Standard
About さ
さ is a suffix in Japanese that can be attached to the stem form of い-Adjectives and な-Adjectives. When this happens, it transforms the target adjective into a noun that illustrates the 'amount' of that particular adjective. This commonly translates as '-ness' in English (sweetness, tallness, spiciness, etc), but is referred to as degree in Japanese.
Fun Fact
It is thought that this suffix originally stemmed from the kanji 差 (meaning 'distinction'), and was used for highlighting things that were distinctive features of something. In this way, さ is also sometimes used after the dictionary form of verbs, to highlight a distinct point in time that something happens.
However, this use of the suffix is far less common in modern Japanese, and is known as 'poetic language'. It was primarily used during Japan's 'middle ages', which spanned from (around) 1100, until close to the end of the 1500's.
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Examples
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この美しさは初めてです。
This beauty is a first for me.
彼の元気さは子供みたい。
His energy is like that of a child.
この甘さは美味しい。
This sweetness is delicious.
箱の重さを測ってください。
Please weigh the heaviness of the box for me?
この寒さだけで死ぬよ。
Just by this coldness you will die.
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Online
Expressing degree with 「さ」
Tae Kim
The difference between さ & み
MaggieSensei
The Purpose of さ
Japanese Stack Exchange
さ and み differences further explained
Japanese Stack Exchange
Offline
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 381
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 257
Tobira
Page 17
みんなの日本語 II
Page 96 [CH 40]
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さ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
adrianh
Can someone elaborate on the Fun Fact of this entry?
I cannot find anything about it, is not even finished:
However, this use of the suffix is far less common in modern Japanese, and is known as ’
Fuga
Hey there @adrianh !
It mentions the old use here.
When you say it is not finished, do you mean that nothing is displayed after ‘…and is know as…’? It is supposed to say 'However, this use of the suffix is far less common in modern Japanese, and is known as ‘poetic language’. It was primarily used during Japan’s ‘middle ages’, which spanned from (around) 1100, until close to the end of the 1500’s. ’
adrianh
Thank you so much @Fuga !
Yeah, I was referring to the sentence finishing at "also is known as ’ ", but it has been corrected
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