さ

Suffix (Basic ㊦ 381)

A suffix that makes a noun out of an adjective by attaching it to the stem of an Adj (い) or much less frequently to the stem of an Adj (な)

Equivalent: -ness; -ly

このうちの広さはちょうどいい・いいです。
This size of this house is just right.
富士山の高さはどのぐらいですか。
What is the approximate height of Mt. Fuji?
日本語の難しさがよく分かりました。
I'm now well aware of the difficulty of Japanese.
アメリカのよさはパイオニア・スピリットでしょう。
One of America's good qualities is perhaps its pioneering spirit.

Formation

Adjective (い/な) stem さ  
  高さ Height
  静かさ quietness

Notes

1. The suffix さ is a very productive suffix that makes a noun out of an adjective. Some typical examples are given below:

2. Adjective な stem+さ is not commonly used. It is suggested that the learner avoid using it. Some of the most commonly used Adjective な stem+さ are the following:

3. When an adjective can be paired with another adjectival antonym as in 大きい 'big' vs. 小さい 'small', the positive counterparty (i.e., 大きい) tends to acquire a meaning of absolute degree when さ is attached, as in 大きさ 'size'. Examples follow:

Positive Negative
厚さ breadth 薄さ thinness
重さ weight 軽さ lightness
難しさ difficulty やさしさ easiness
うれしさ joy 悲しさ sadness
深さ depth 浅さ shallowness
高さ height 低さ lowness
暑さ heat 寒さ coldness
濃さ density 薄さ thinness
大きさ size 小ささ smallness
広さ size of space 狭さ smallness of space
強さ strength 弱さ weakness

【Related Expression】

さ describes, in an analytical manner, the degree of the state represented by an adjective, but み, another noun-forming suffix, is a more emotive and concrete characterization of some state (based primarily on direct perception). Only a limited number of Adjective い can be used with み. Examples:

Consider the following sentences in which さ is unacceptable.

[1]

[2]

In both [1] and [2] the さ version is unacceptable because both sentences express something concrete that can be expressed only by み. The fact that nouns with the suffix み indicate something concrete seems to be related to a general tendency of nasal sounds.