Structure
[い]Adjective[い]+ さ
[な]Adjective + さ
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Standard
使用域
一般
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.
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私が道の長さを測ります。I will measure the length of the road. (The road's lengthiness)
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大人になってから家族の大切さが分かってきた。After becoming an adult, I came to understand the importance of family. (Family's importantness)
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.
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学校からの帰るさにお金を拾った。On the way back from school, I picked up some money. (At the 'point' of returning home)
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行くさで家に忘れ物をしたことを思い出した。When I was on my way there, I remembered that I had left something at home. (At the 'point' of going somewhere)
Synonyms
Examples
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.
この景色の綺麗さは言葉では説明できない。
I am unable to explain the prettiness of this scenery with words.
箱の重さを測ってください。
Please weigh the heaviness of the box for me?
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Online
The difference between さ & み
MaggieSensei
The Purpose of さ
Japanese Stack Exchange
さ and み differences further explained
Japanese Stack Exchange
Expressing degree with 「さ」
Tae Kim
Offline
Tobira
Page 17
みんなの日本語 II
Page 96 [CH 40]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 381
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 257
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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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