さ (sa)

Meaning & usage

Adding さ turns an adjective describing a state into a noun for its degree, amount, or felt quality, as in 暑さ or 広さ. For i adjectives, drop final い before adding さ, and for na adjectives add さ directly to the stem without な, as in 勤勉さ. The resulting noun behaves like an ordinary noun and can take particles such as が, を, or の to talk about measurements, emotions, or traits in neutral style.

Example sentences 4

1. また暑あつさがぶり返かえすそうだ。

   I understand it's going to get hot again.

2. 世間知らずのその男は、恥ずかしさで顔を赤らめた。

   The naive man blushed with shame.

3. この部屋は20×24フィートの広さだ。

   This room measures 20' X 24'.

4. この部屋の広さで十分だ。

   This room is large enough.