さ is a 感動詞(かんどうし) (interjection) in Japanese that has three primary uses. These are as follows:
誘(さそ)い、促(うなが)し - To invite, incite, or draw attention to something.
驚(おどろ)き、当惑(とうわく)し - The express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment.
話(はなし)
の流(なが)れ
を抑(おさ)える - To control or keep in check the flow of a conversation.
In this lesson, we will be focusing on a specific feature of the first meaning (to draw attention). Unlike other types of drawing attention that
さ is able to be used for (see this grammar point), this
さ will only appear at the end of sentences. Here,
さ is almost identical in meaning to that of よ, with a slight added nuance of high confidence in what one is saying.
-
彼氏(かれし)がもう私(わたし)のことを信用(しんよう)できないってさ。
My boyfriend told me that he can't trust me anymore. (Added confidence gives the nuance of ‘can you believe it!’)
インスタで見(み)たんだけど、キヨミの赤(あか)ちゃんが明日(あした)生(う)まれるんだってさ!
I saw it on instagram, but I heard that Kiyomi is going to give birth tomorrow.
そんなこと心配(しんぱい)ないさ!俺(おれ)に任(まか)せとけ!
Such a thing is not necessary! Leave it to me! (Trust it to me in advance, so that it is not a problem later)
This
さ is primarily used by men, and can vary in meaning depending on the speaker’s tone of voice. However, in almost all situations
さ will mean ‘what I just said is correct’ (sometimes angrily, sometimes informatively, and even sometimes in a completely carefree way).
-
お前(まえ)さ...
You… (Are you freaking serious)
たかし君(くん)も行(い)きたいってさ。どうしよう?彼(かれ)も招待(しょうたい)する?
Takashi-kun said he wants to go too. What should we do? Should we invite him too?
そんなの俺(おれ)にだってできるさ。分(わ)からないけど。
Although I am not certain, even I would be able to do something like that.
Women may also use
さ as a sentence ender, but わよ tends to be more common.