BackGrammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 14
Structure of さ (Interjection):
さあ + Phrase
(1) さ、さぁ、さあ、さー
Details about さ (Interjection):
さ is a 感動詞 (interjection) in Japanese that has three primary uses. These are as follows:
誘い、促し - To invite, incite, or draw attention to something.
驚き、当惑し - To express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment.
話の流れを抑える - To control or keep in check the flow of a conversation.
In this lesson, we will be focusing on the first meaning (to invite or draw attention). In English, this is usually translated as 'there we go', 'ok then', or 'well you see'. さ (or sometimes さあ) will come at the beginning of a sentence, before the point that the speaker would like to highlight is explained.
誘い、促し - To invite, incite, or draw attention to something.
驚き、当惑し - To express surprise, confusion, or bewilderment.
話の流れを抑える - To control or keep in check the flow of a conversation.
In this lesson, we will be focusing on the first meaning (to invite or draw attention). In English, this is usually translated as 'there we go', 'ok then', or 'well you see'. さ (or sometimes さあ) will come at the beginning of a sentence, before the point that the speaker would like to highlight is explained.
- さーさー、遠慮をせずにどんどん食べてください。There we go! Please eat a lot without holding back.
- さあ、そろそろ行きますか。Okay then, should we go soon?
さ (Interjection)
Usage Notes for さ (Interjection):
This さ and the さ used for expressing confusion or bewilderment are often used interchangeably. When drawing attention, it comes across like 'well you see', but when expressing confusion, it is closer to 'well let me see'. The latter has a slight nuance of 'let me think about my answer first'.
- あのさ、昨日は暑さに負けて倒れちゃった。Well, you see… I lost to the heat yesterday and passed out. (Yesterday, I passed out due to the heat)
- さあ、それはどうでしょう？私に聞いてもわからないよ。Well let me see… I don't know about that. Even if you ask me I wouldn't have a clue.
Synonyms for さ (Interjection):
さ - Filler
Like, You know, You see, Listen, Uhh
さ - Casual よ
Casual よ
では・それでは・じゃあ
If so, Well (then), In that case
さて
Well, Well then
Example of さ (Interjection)
「さあ、仕事を始めよう。」
'Alright, let's start working!'
「さあ、行きましょう。」
'Alright, let's go!'
「あの人、誰？」
「さあ…」
'Who is that person?'
'Well… '
「足は（どう）？」
「大丈夫よ。さあ早く…」
'(How is) your leg?'
'It is ok. Now, quickly…'
夏休みの後：「さぁ、学校に戻るぞ ！」
After summer vacation: 'Well, time to go back to school!'
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