Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 4: 20/21

さ (Casual よ)
Casual よ

Used only at the end of a sentence

Structure
Phrase + (1)

(1) さぁ、さあ、さー
Details
Register Casual
使用域 タメ語
Information
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)流(なが)れ抑(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 is able to be used for (see this grammar point), this will only appear at the end of sentences. Here, 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)こと信用(しんよう)できないって
    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
    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!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)
Caution
This is primarily used by men, and can vary in meaning depending on the speaker’s tone of voice. However, in almost all situations will mean ‘what I just said is correct’ (sometimes angrily, sometimes informatively, and even sometimes in a completely carefree way).
  • お前(まえ)...
    You… (Are you freaking serious)
  • たかし君(くん)も行(い)きたいって。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?
  • そんな俺(おれ)だってできる。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 as a sentence ender, but わよ tends to be more common.
Slow Male
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明日(あした)までにこのプロジェクトを終(お)えることができる本当(ほんとう)。」
"I can finish this project by tomorrow. Really."
Emphasis on 'really'.
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僕(ぼく)はNBAでやるつもり。」
"I intend to play in the NBA."
Emphasis on 'intend'.
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A:「寒(さむ)い。寒(さむ)すぎる。」
B:「どうってことない。」
A: "It's cold. Soo cold."
B: "This is nothing."
Emphasis on 'nothing'.
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Books
Tobira
Page 284
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 202