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〜さ

-ness (adjective as noun)

い-adj − い + さ · な-adj + さ

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Add さ to an adjective's stem and it becomes a noun of degree: 高い → 高さ, "height"; 暑い → 暑さ, "the heat"; 優しい → 優しさ, "kindness". な-adjectives work too: 静か → 静かさ, 便利 → 便利さ.

It's how Japanese talks about measurements (この山の高さ, "the height of this mountain"; 箱の重さ, "the weight of the box") and qualities (彼の優しさ, "his kindness").

いい becomes よさ: このホテルのよさ, "what's good about this hotel".

A few adjectives have a second noun form with み, for a felt quality (楽しみ, "something to look forward to"; 痛み, "pain"), but さ works for almost every adjective.

Examples

  • この山やまの高たかさは三千さんぜんメートルです。

    This mountain is 3,000 metres high.

  • 日本にほんの夏なつの暑あつさに驚おどろきました。

    I was surprised by how hot Japanese summers are.

  • この箱はこの重おもさはどのくらいですか。

    How heavy is this box?

  • 彼かれの優やさしさが好すきです。

    I love his kindness.

  • 富士山ふじさんの美うつくしさは言葉ことばで説明せつめいできない。

    Words can't describe how beautiful Mount Fuji is.

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