Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 6/18

さConverting adjectives to nouns

Structure

［い］Adjective［い］+ さ
［な］Adjective + さ

Details

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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.

Fun Fact

It is thought that this suffix originally stemmed from the kanji 差(さ) (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.

  • 学校(がっこう)からの帰(かえ)るさにお金(かね)を拾(ひろ)った。
    On the way back from school, I picked up some money. (At the 'point' of returning home)
  • 行(い)くさで家(いえ)に忘(わす)れ物(もの)をしたことを思(おも)い出(だ)した。
    When I was on my way there, I remembered that I had left something at home. (At the 'point' of going somewhere)

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.

Examples

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    この美(うつく)しさは初(はじ)めてです。

    This beauty is a first for me.

    彼(かれ)の元気(げんき)さは子供(こども)みたい。

    His energy is like that of a child.

    この甘(あま)さは美味(おい)しい。

    This sweetness is delicious.

    箱(はこ)の重(おも)さを測(はか)ってください。

    Please weigh the heaviness of the box for me?

    この寒(さむ)さだけで死(し)ぬよ。

    Just by this coldness you will die.

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      さ – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

      • adrianh

        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

        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

        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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