Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 3: 19/23

の姿(すがた)Figure, Shape, Appearance, Looks, Wearing, Dressed in, Presence

Structure

Verb + 姿(すがた)
Noun + （の） + 姿(すがた)

Details

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About ～(の)姿

When the noun 姿(すがた) '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(すがた) is often translated as '(A) looking', 'wearing (A)', 'clad in (A)', or 'performing (A)'.

姿(すがた) may be used after verbs in their attributive form, or after nouns followed by the case marking particle の.

姿(すがた) is a word that focuses primarily on the way that someone appears to observer. Therefore, it is also often used to describe the observer's impression of who they are looking at, in regard to their presence, or lack thereof.

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(ひと), 時(とき), 元(もと), etc.

  • やっとお前(まえ)の花嫁(はなよめ)姿(すがた)が見(み)れて嬉(うれ)しいよ。
    I am so happy that I can finally see you as a bride.
  • シンデレラは12時(じ)になった瞬間(しゅんかん)に元姿(もとすがた)に戻(もど)った。(Unnatural Japanese)
    As soon as it reached 12 oclock, Cinderella turned back into her original appearance.

Examples

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    この地域(ちいき)には人(ひと)の姿(すがた)が見(み)えない。

    There is no human presence in this area. (figure)

    あなたの動(うご)く姿(すがた)が好(す)きです。

    I like the way you look when you move. (moving figure)

    友達(ともだち)との話(はなし)：「あの人(ひと)は顔(かお)も綺麗(きれい)だし、立(た)ち姿(すがた)も美(うつく)しい。」

    Chat between friends: 'That person has a pretty face, and also the way they stand is attractive.' (standing figure)

    衣料品店(いりょうひんてん)、クライアント：「自分(じぶん)の姿(すがた)を鏡(かがみ)で見(み)てみるよ。」

    Clothing store, client: 'I will look at my appearance in the mirror!' (figure)

    2012年(ねん)に最後(さいご)に会(あ)ってから、あの男(おとこ)の姿(すがた)を見(み)ていない。

    I haven’t seen him (his presence) since the last time I met him in 2012. [figure・appearance]

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        ～(の)姿 – Grammar Discussion

        Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

        • Ambo100

          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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