Using 〜さ as a Nominalizer

When learning Japanese, one of the most useful grammatical tools you’ll encounter is the nominalizer 〜さ. This simple yet powerful suffix transforms adjectives into nouns, allowing you to express concepts like “height,” “beauty,” or “difficulty” in a clear and concise way.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the meaning, formation, and usage of 〜さ, along with plenty of examples to help you master this essential Japanese grammar point.

What is 〜さ?

In Japanese, 〜さ is a nominalizer that turns adjectives into nouns. It is used to express the degree, state, or quality of something. For example, the adjective 高い (takai), meaning “high” or “expensive,” becomes 高さ (takasa), which means “height” or “cost.” This makes 〜さ incredibly useful for describing abstract concepts or measurable qualities.

Formation of 〜さ

The formation of 〜さ is straightforward, but it varies slightly depending on the type of adjective or word it’s attached to. Let’s break it down:

1. With い-Adjectives (i-Adjectives)

Remove the final い (i) and add さ (sa).
Example:

• 高い (takai) → 高さ (takasa)
• 楽しい (tanoshii) → 楽しさ (tanoshisa)

2. With な-Adjectives (na-Adjectives)

Remove the な (na) and add さ (sa).
Example:

• 静か (shizuka) → 静かさ (shizukasa)
• 便利 (benri) → 便利さ (benrisa)

3. With Nouns

〜さ is rarely used with nouns directly, but it can be added to noun-like adjectives (e.g., 元気 → 元気さ).

Usage of 〜さ

The 〜さ form is used in various situations to express the degree, state, or quality of something. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Describing Physical Attributes
   • この山の高さはどれくらいですか？
     (Kono yama no takasa wa dore kurai desu ka?)
     How high is this mountain?
2. Expressing Abstract Qualities
   • 彼女の優しさに感動しました。
     (Kanojo no yasashisa ni kandou shimashita.)
     I was moved by her kindness.
3. Comparing Degrees or Levels
   • この問題の難しさはレベルが高い。
     (Kono mondai no muzukashisa wa reberu ga takai.)
     The difficulty level of this problem is high.
4. Emphasizing a State or Condition
   • この部屋の広さは十分です。
     (Kono heya no hirosa wa juubun desu.)
     The spaciousness of this room is sufficient.

List of Adjectives with 〜さ Form

Here’s a table showcasing common words with their 〜さ forms, along with example sentences:

More Example Sentences

Here are 10 additional examples to help you understand the usage of 〜さ in context:

1. この湖の深さはどのくらいですか？
   (Kono mizuumi no fukasa wa dono kurai desu ka?)
   How deep is this lake?
2. 彼の強さは誰にも負けない。
   (Kare no tsuyosa wa dare ni mo makenai.)
   His strength is unmatched by anyone.
3. この料理の辛さはちょうどいい。
   (Kono ryouri no karasa wa choudo ii.)
   The spiciness of this dish is just right.
4. この町の暖かさが好きです。
   (Kono machi no atatakasa ga suki desu.)
   I love the warmth of this town.
5. この仕事の大変さを理解しています。
   (Kono shigoto no taihensa o rikai shiteimasu.)
   I understand the difficulty of this job.
6. 彼女の美しさは言葉では表せない。
   (Kanojo no utsukushisa wa kotoba de wa arawasenai.)
   Her beauty cannot be expressed in words.
7. この本の面白さに夢中になった。
   (Kono hon no omoshirosa ni muchuu ni natta.)
   I became engrossed in the interestingness of this book.
8. この問題の複雑さに悩んでいます。
   (Kono mondai no fukuzatsusa ni nayandeimasu.)
   I’m struggling with the complexity of this problem.
9. この海の青さは忘れられない。
   (Kono umi no aosa wa wasurerarenai.)
   I can’t forget the blueness of this sea.
10. このケーキの甘さは控えめです。
    (Kono keeki no amasa wa hikaeme desu.)
    The sweetness of this cake is mild.

Things to Keep in Mind

1. 〜さ vs. 〜み: While both 〜さ and 〜み can nominalize adjectives, 〜さ is more commonly used for measurable or objective qualities, whereas 〜み often conveys a more subjective or emotional nuance.
2. Avoid Overuse: 〜さ is versatile, but overusing it can make your speech or writing sound repetitive.
3. Context Matters: Always consider the context when using 〜さ, as it may not always be the most natural choice.

Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 〜さ with these fill-in-the-blank questions:

1. この川の______はどれくらいですか。（深い)
2. 彼の______に感動しました。 (優しい)
3. この問題の______は高いです。 (難しい)
4. この部屋の______は十分です。 (広い)
5. 彼女の______は誰にも負けない。 (強い)
6. この料理の______はちょうどいい。 (辛い)
7. この町の______が好きです。 (暖かい)
8. この仕事の______を理解しています。 (大変)
9. この海の______は忘れられない。 (青い)
10. このケーキの______は控えめです。 (甘い)

Answers:

1. 深さ
2. 優しさ
3. 難しさ
4. 広さ
5. 強さ
6. 辛さ
7. 暖かさ
8. 大変さ
9. 青さ
10. 甘さ

Conclusion

Mastering the 〜さ nominalizer is a key step in becoming fluent in Japanese. It allows you to express abstract qualities and measurable attributes with ease, making your speech and writing more nuanced and precise. By practicing the examples and understanding the formation rules, you’ll soon find yourself using 〜さ naturally in everyday conversations. Keep practicing, and don’t forget to pay attention to context and nuance!

If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.

Happy learning! 😊

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