Japanese adjectives in the form さ[-sa], そう[-sou] and め[-me]

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 work and when to use them. If you are already familiar with the basic past and negative forms of Japanese adjectives, this reading will be an interesting and practical deepening.

Form “-sa”: Transforming Adjectives into Nouns

The form “-sa” is one of the most straightforward 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 joy, beauty, or greatness.

How to Use the Form “-sa”

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) turns into 美しさ (utsukushisa, beauty).
• 新しい (atarashii, new) transforms into 新しさ (atarashisa, novelty).

Next, 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 like the beauty of Japanese temples.

大きさが重要です
Ookisa ga juuyou desu

Translation: The size is important.

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 form “-sa” 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 sure.

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, pleasant) becomes 楽しそう (tanoshisou, seems pleasant).
• 美しい (utsukushii, beautiful) turns into 美しそう (utsukushisou, seems beautiful).
• 赤い (akai, red) transforms into 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 seems 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 soft 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”. Although the concept seems 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 inclination. However, when using “-me”, you should not confuse this with the literal meaning of “eyes”.

Practical Examples

• 大きい (ookii, big) becomes 大きめ (ookime, bigger or more big).
• 早い (hayai, fast) turns into 早め (hayame, early).
• 小さい (chiisai, small) 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 little 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.