Structure
さぞ + （かし）+ Phrase + （こと）+ だろう
Details
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Formal
Rare Kanji
嘸
About さぞ
さぞ is a fairly formal adverb in Japanese that is used emphatically to highlight that the following statement is something that the speaker understands to be true. This is often in relation to the feelings or situation of another. Common translations include 'you must be very (A)', 'how (A) you must be', or 'I dare say that (A)'. 'I dare to say that (A)' is probably the closest to the literal meaning of さぞ, as the speaker is empathizing with someone else by trying to imagine the situation from their point of view.
As さぞ is an adverb, it will usually appear at the beginning of a sentence, modifying the whole phrase that follows.
The phrase following さぞ will often finish with だろう or でしょう. This highlights the speaker's opinion about the situation as being limited by their own knowledge.
Caution
さぞ comes from the kanji 嘸, which has two alternative readings, 嘸や, and 嘸かし. Both 嘸や, and 嘸かし are occasionally used as even further emphasized versions of さぞ.
- あんなに大切にしていた車を盗まれたなんて、さぞや悔しかっただろう。You must have been so frustrated to have such a cherished car stolen.
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あの人が彼の父だなんて、さぞかし驚いただろう。He must have been very surprised that that man was his father.
Despite being almost identical in meaning, さぞかし is used more often than さぞや.
Examples
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「夜勤の仕事もさぞ大変だろう。」
How tough the night shift work must be!
「智子は昇進が見送られて、さぞがっかりしたに違いない。」
Not getting the promotion, Satoko must be very disappointed. (How disappointed Satoko must be after not getting the promotion!)
「初めての赤ちゃんのお誕生にさぞ嬉しいことでしょう。」
You must be very happy to have your first child. (How happy you must be to have your first child!)
硬い手紙：「ご子息様のこと、さぞご心配のことと思います。」
Formal letter: 'You must be very worried about your son.' ('How worried you must be about your son!')
「家族が一生懸命働いているのに、あなただけ毎日遊んでいるだけ、さぞ楽しいでしょうね！」
'Even though your family is working so hard, you are just having fun, how fun it must be!'
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さぞ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (1 in total)
darkhelmet
I found this one on DAJG pg 547 instead of 678. Not sure if this is a version difference, mine is the 12th edition printed in 2019.
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