Structure
Phrase + さ(1)
(1) さぁ、さあ、さー
Details
Register
Casual
使用域
タメ語
About さ - Casual よ
さ is a 感動詞 (interjection) in Japanese that has three primary uses. These are as follows:
誘い、促し - To invite, incite, or draw attention to something.
驚き、当惑し - The express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment.
話の流れを抑える - 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.
誘い、促し - To invite, incite, or draw attention to something.
驚き、当惑し - The express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment.
話の流れを抑える - 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.
- 彼氏がもう私のことを信用できないってさ。My boyfriend told me that he can't trust me anymore. (Added confidence gives the nuance of 'can you believe it!')
- インスタで見たんだけど、キヨミの赤ちゃんが明日生まれるんだってさ!I saw it on instagram, but I heard that Kiyomi is going to give birth tomorrow.
- そんなこと心配ないさ!俺に任せとけ!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 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).- お前さ...You… (Are you freaking serious)
- たかし君も行きたいってさ。どうしよう?彼も招待する?Takashi-kun said he wants to go too. What should we do? Should we invite him too?
- そんなの俺にだってできるさ。分からないけど。Although I am not certain, even I would be able to do something like that.
Synonyms
Examples
「明日までにこのプロジェクトを終えることができるさ。本当さ。」
'I can finish this project by tomorrow. Really.'
「僕はNBAでやるつもりさ。」
'I intend to play in the NBA.'
A:「寒い。寒すぎるよ。」
B:「どうってことないさ。」A: 'It's cold. Soo cold.'
B: 'This is nothing.'クラスメイトA:「じゅんいちろうはともちゃんと付き合ってるの?」
クラスメートのじゅんいちろう:「そんなことないさ。」Classmate A: 'Hey, I heard that you are going out with Tomo-chan.'
Classmate, Junichirou: 'That's not true.'「テレビで台風がやってくるってさ。」
'They say on tv that a typhoon is coming.'
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
Offline
Tobira
Page 284
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 202
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
さ - Casual よ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
DonChanHype
There’s a great explanation of this on Tae Kim’s Guide here
- 「な」 and 「さ」 sentence-ending particles
Pushindawood
Thank you for the share! I have added this reading to the grammar point’s Reading page. Cheers!
Got questions about さ - Casual よ? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion