The Japanese language is known for its richness and versatility, especially when it comes to adjectives. In today's article, we will dive into the forms "-sa", "-sou" and "-me", explaining how they function and when to use them. If you already know the basic past and negative forms of Japanese adjectives, this reading will be an interesting and practical deepening.
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Form "-sa": Transforming Adjectives into Nouns
The form "-sa" is one of the most direct ways to manipulate adjectives in Japanese. It allows you to transform an adjective that ends in "-i" into a noun that expresses a quality or characteristic. This is useful for talking about abstract concepts like 喜び (yorokobi), 美しさ (utsukushisa), or 大きさ (ōkisa).
How to Use the "-sa" Form
To apply this form, you replace the final "i" of the adjective with "-sa". It's a simple rule, but it brings great possibilities for constructing more elaborate sentences. For example:
- 楽しい (tanoshii, pleasant) becomes 楽しさ (tanoshisa, joy).
- 美しい (utsukushii, beautiful) becomes 美しさ (utsukushisa, beauty).
- The term 新しい (atarashii, new) transforms into 新しさ (atarashisa, novelty).
Here are some practical examples:
日本のお寺の美しさが好きです
Nihon no otera no utsukushisa ga suki desu
Translation: I love the beauty of Japanese temples.
大きさが重要です
Ookisa ga juuyou desu
Translation: Size matters.
Why Use "-sa"?
This form is especially useful when you want to highlight a characteristic in an abstract way or discuss qualities without pointing to something specific. If you need to talk about the beauty of a place, the joy of an event, or the importance of the size of an object, the "-sa" form will be your ally.
Form "-sou": Expressing Probability or Appearance
The form "-sou" is used to indicate that something seems or appears to be a certain way. You will often find it in everyday conversations, especially when people want to express an impression or assumption without being absolutely certain.
How to Form the "-sou" Form
To create the "-sou" form, remove the "i" from the end of the adjective and add "-sou". This completely changes the meaning, transforming the adjective into an expression that means "seems to be". Here are some examples:
- 楽しい (tanoshii, enjoyable) becomes 楽しそう (tanoshisou, looks enjoyable).
- 美しい (utsukushii, beautiful) becomes 美しそう (utsukushisou, seems beautiful).
- 赤い (akai, red) becomes 赤そう (akasou, seems red).
Example sentence:
この料理はとても美味しそうです;
Kono Ryouri wa totemo oishisou desu;
Translation: This dish looks very delicious;
このスポーツは簡単そう。
Kono SUPOUTSU wa kantansou;
Translation: This sport seems simple;
Common Uses and Contexts
The form "-sou" is extremely useful when you want to comment on something you observe, but without making a categorical statement. It is a polite and subtle way to express opinions or observations. Imagine, for example, that you see someone carrying a stack of heavy books and want to comment: 重そう (omosou, seems heavy).
Form "-me": A Nuance of Comparison
The form "-me" is a bit more complex and offers a way to make subtle comparisons or indicate that something is "more or less" a certain way. It is similar to the use of "-ish" in English, as in "reddish" or "biggish." While the concept may seem simple, using it correctly requires practice and cultural sensitivity.
How the "-me" form works
To form the "-me" form, you replace the final "i" with "-me". This form is used to create an expression that suggests an approximate measure or a moderate degree. It is important to note that the kanji 目 (me), which means "eye", is the origin of this form and denotes a tendency or an inclination. However, when using "-me", you should not confuse it with the literal meaning of "eyes".
Practical examples
- 大きい (ookii, large) becomes 大きめ (ookime, larger or more large).
- 早い (hayai, rápido) becomes 早め (hayame, cedo).
- 小さい (chiisai, pequeno) transforms into 小さめ (chiisame, a little small).
Example sentences:
早めに着いた
Hayame ni tsuita
Translation: I arrived early.
このシャツは少し大きめです
Kono shatsu wa sukoshi ookime desu
Translation: This shirt is a bit big.
Complexity and Usage Tips
The form "-me" can be difficult to master because the exact meaning depends on the context. It is useful in situations where you want to soften a statement or indicate that something is not exactly as it seems. For example, saying that something is "a little small" instead of "very small" can be more polite or appropriate in certain circumstances.