の姿
Figure, Shape, Appearance, Looks, Wearing, Dressed in, Presence
Structure
Noun + （の） + 姿
Explanation
When the noun 姿, meaning 'figure' or 'form', is used like a suffix, it refers to the visual impression someone makes. This can relate to their clothing, general physique, or the way they carry themselves. 姿 can be translated in various ways, such as 'the sight of (A)', 'the way (A) looks', or 'dressed in (A)'.
You can attach 姿 to verbs in their plain form (dictionary, negative, past, etc.), or to a noun using the particle の.
- 子供が一生懸命勉強している姿は本当に素敵だ。The sight of a child studying diligently is truly wonderful.
- 彼女が心から笑っている姿を見ると、こちらも幸せな気持ちになる。When I see her laughing from the bottom of her heart, it makes me feel happy too.
- 遠くに女の人の姿が見えたが、すぐに消えてしまった。I saw the figure of a woman in the distance, but she disappeared almost immediately.
- 祭りの人混みで、友人の姿を見失ってしまった。I completely lost sight of my friend in the festival crowd.
Since 姿 emphasizes how someone or something looks from an observer's viewpoint, it is frequently used to convey the impression a person gives, including their general presence or even their disappearance from sight.
- 子供が一生懸命ごはんを食べている姿は微笑ましい。The way my child eagerly eats their meal is heartwarming to see.
- うちの猫が丸くなって眠っている姿は本当に癒される。The sight of my cat sleeping curled up in a ball is so incredibly soothing.
Caution
Following a noun, the particle の is occasionally omitted. This tends to happen with kanji compound words, whereas の is typically kept with simpler nouns like 人, 時, 元, and so on.
- 息子の制服姿を見たら、成長を感じた。Seeing my son in his school uniform really made me feel how much he's grown.
- 面接の日、彼はスーツ姿で現れた。On the day of the interview, he showed up dressed in a suit.
Examples
彼のスーツ姿はとてもかっこいい。
He looks so cool in a suit. (appearance in a suit)
お父さんの働く姿を見ると、いつも尊敬します。
When I see the way my father works, I always feel a sense of respect. (working figure)
この公園では子供の姿が全く見られない。
You can't see the presence of any children in this park at all. (figure)
友達との話：「うちのネコの眠る姿は本当に癒されるよ。」
Chat between friends: 'The way my cat looks when it sleeps is so soothing.' (sleeping figure)
ノベル：「彼は何も言わずに去っていった。その後ろ姿が寂しそうだった。」
Novel: 'He left without saying a word. The sight of his back as he walked away looked lonely.' (figure from behind)
彼が彼女に話す：「プレゼントを開けた時の、君の喜んだ姿が可愛かったよ。」
He says to his girlfriend: 'You looked so happy when you opened the present, it was really cute.' (delighted figure)
夏祭り：「彼女の浴衣姿は本当に可愛かった。」
At the summer festival: 'She looked really cute in her yukata.' (appearance in a yukata)
目標に向かって頑張る人の姿は、輝いて見える。
The sight of a person striving towards their goals looks radiant. (figure of a person doing their best)
アルバムを見ながら：「写真で昔の自分の姿を見るのは恥ずかしい。」
While looking at an album: 'It's embarrassing to see what I used to look like in old photos.' (my past appearance)
博物館にて：「これは江戸時代の侍の生きていた時の姿を再現したものです。」
At a museum: 'This is a recreation of what samurai looked like when they were alive during the Edo period.' (appearance/figure)
子供が親に：「お母さんの料理している姿、かっこいい！」
Child to a parent: 'You look so cool when you're cooking, Mom!' (figure while cooking)
友人の結婚式にて：「彼女のウェディングドレス姿は、お姫様みたいだった。」
At a friend's wedding: 'In her wedding dress, she looked just like a princess.' (appearance in a wedding dress)