Structure
Verb + 姿
Noun + (の) + 姿
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About ~(の)姿
When the noun 姿 'figure' is used as a suffix, it describes the outward appearance of someone. This may be in relation to what the person is wearing, their overall shape, body type, or style. 姿 is often translated as '(A) looking', 'wearing (A)', 'clad in (A)', or 'performing (A)'.
姿 may be used after verbs in their attributive form, or after nouns followed by the case marking particle の.
姿 may be used after verbs in their attributive form, or after nouns followed by the case marking particle の.
- 昨日初めてお父さんが働いている姿見た。Yesterday was the first time I saw my father (his figure) working.
- 息子が悲しんでいる姿を見ると、私まで悲しくなってくる。When I see my son in a sad state, it makes even me sad.
- さっき男の人の姿が見えたけど、気のせいかな。Earlier, I saw a man (his figure), but that might have been my mistake.
- デパートで息子の姿が見えなくなって、少しパニックになった。I lost sight of my son's presence at the department store, and it made me panic a little.
- 娘の歩く姿が夫に似ている。The way my daughter walks looks just like my husband.
- 犬の寝ている姿はとてもかわいい。The way my dog looks when he is sleeping is so cute.
Caution
After nouns, の will sometimes be omitted, but this is not always the case. In general, の may be dropped after kanji compounds, but not after simple words like 人, 時, 元, etc.- やっとお前の花嫁姿が見れて嬉しいよ。I am so happy that I can finally see you as a bride.
- シンデレラは12時になった瞬間に元姿に戻った。As soon as it reached 12 oclock, Cinderella turned back into her original appearance. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
あなたの動く姿が好きです。
I like the way you look when you move.
In this case, it is used to express the specific way someone looks when doing something.
新聞記事:「映画会社のパーティーには、華やかな着物姿の女優たちが出席していた。」
Newspaper article: 'Actresses dressed in brilliant kimonos made an appearance at the movie company party.'
着物の姿 is also possible.
友達との話:「あの人は顔も綺麗だし、立ち姿も美しい。」
Chat between friends: 'That person has a pretty face, and also the way they stand is attractive.'
衣料品店、クライアント:「自分の姿を鏡で見てみるよ。」
Clothing store, client: 'I will look at my appearance in the mirror!'
の is required after 自分 here.
2012年に最後に会ってから、あの男の姿を見ていない。
I haven't seen him (his presence) since the last time I met him in 2012.
の is required after 男 here.
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~(の)姿 – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (1 in total)
Ambo100
Am I correct in assuming that 姿 when used to mean ‘dressed in …; wearing …’ does not need の before it as it used a suffix?
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