GRAMMAR DETAIL
～さ
Attaches to an adjective stem to form a noun expressing the degree of a quality or state.
Examples
この箱の重さは三キロです。
This box weighs three kilograms.
Words used
川の深さを測りました。
We measured the depth of the river.
Words used
新しい塔の高さを調べました。
We checked the height of the new tower.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Remove an i-adjective's final
いor a na-adjective'sだ, then addさto form a noun. - Basic usage:
川の深さを測りました。presents depth as something to measure.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Particles for the resulting noun
- In
深い川,深いmodifies川, while川の深さnames its depth. Use the particle the noun needs, as in深さを測る.
- In
- Form and range of meaning
- Form it as in
重い → 重さand静かだ → 静かさ. It can also name a quality not directly quantified, such as静かさ, rather than always a physical measurement.
- Form it as in