Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 4: 19/21

さ (Filler)Like, You know, You see, Listen, Uhh

Structure

Phrase (A) + さぁ(1) + Phrase (B)

(1) さあ、さー、さ

Details

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About さ - Filler

is a 感動詞(かんどうし) (interjection) in Japanese that has three primary uses. These are as follows:

(さそ)い、(うなが)し - To invite, incite, or draw attention to something.

(おどろ)き、当惑(とうわく)し - The express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment.

(はなし)(なが)(おさ)える - To control or keep in check the flow of a conversation.

In this lesson, we will be focusing on the second meaning (to express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment). In English, this is used in a very similar way to 'like', 'you know', 'uhh', and other short phrases that are employed when a speaker is searching for the right thing to say, and is filling the silence. This may be used in any position within a sentence, simply to create thinking time.

The 'confusion' that this expresses is not necessarily a bad thing, and is used by many people to simply express that they have not finished talking yet.

Examples

--:--

    今朝(けさ)さあ(かあ)さんに(おこ)られたよ。」

    'I got scolded by mom in the morning, you know.'

    友達との会話:「あの(おれ)彼女(かのじょ)ができたんだ!」

    Chat between friends: 'Listen, I got myself a girlfriend!'

    「あのさぁ()きな(ひと)とかいるの?」

    'Listen, do you have someone you like?'

    内緒(ないしょ)だけど(かれ)(たから)くじに()たったんだよ。」

    'Between us, you see, he won the lottery.'

    A:「(わたし)さぁ明日(あした)から5連休(れんきゅう)なんだ!」
    B:「いいなぁー」

    A: 'I have, you see, a 5 day weekend starting from tomorrow.'
    B: 'Lucky!'

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