さ (Interjection)
All right, There we go, Now, You see, Well (I don't know, let me see)
Structure
(1) さ、さぁ、さあ、さー
Explanation
The Japanese 感動詞 (interjection) さ has three main functions, which are outlined below:
誘い、促し - Prompting an action, calling for attention, or making an invitation.
驚き、当惑し - Showing surprise, uncertainty, or perplexity.
話の流れを抑える - Interjecting to manage the direction or pace of a discussion.
This lesson will concentrate on the first usage (prompting action or drawing attention). Common English equivalents are 'come on', 'alright then', or 'now then'. さ (or さあ) is placed at the start of a phrase, just before the main point the speaker wants to emphasize.
- さーさー、時間がないから、早く準備してください。Come on now, we're short on time, so please get ready quickly.
- さあ、もう遅いから、そろそろ帰りましょうか。Alright then, it's getting late, so shall we head home?
Caution
The さ for calling attention and the さ for showing confusion can sometimes overlap. When used to get someone's attention, it's similar to 'hey listen' or 'you see...'. However, when conveying confusion, it's more like 'hmm, let's see...'. This second usage carries an implication of needing a moment to consider a response.
- あのさ、ちょっと聞きたいことがあるんだけど。You see... there's something I wanted to ask.
- さあ、次のテストはいつでしたっけ。Hmm, let's see... when was that next test again?
Examples
「さあ、会議を始めましょう。」
'Alright, let's begin the meeting.'
「さあ、みんなで歌いましょう。」
'Come on, let's all sing together!'
「試合の結果はどうだった？」
「さあ… 誰が勝ったんだろうね。」
'What was the result of the game?'
'Well… I wonder who won.'
「薬の時間よ。さ、これを飲んで。」
「うん、ありがとう。」
'It's time for your medicine. Here, take this.'
'Okay, thanks.'
「さ、寒いから中に入って。」
'Come on, get inside, it's cold.'
「さ、次の問題に進みましょう。」
'Alright, let's move on to the next question.'
「さぁ、出発するぞ！」
'Alright, let's get going!'
店が閉まる前に：「さあ、もう行かないと。」
Before the store closes: 'Come on, we have to go now.'
「田中さんはなぜ怒っているの？」
「さあ、僕にも理由がわからないよ。」
'Why is Tanaka-san angry?'
'Well, I don't know the reason either.'
「このケーキ、いくらでしたか？」
「さあ… 忘れてしまいました。」
'How much was this cake?'
'Hmm… I've forgotten.'
料理を作りながら：「さ、最後にソースをかけよう。」
While cooking: 'Okay, let's add the sauce last.'
「彼は本当のことを言っているのかな。」
「さあ、どうでしょうね。」
'I wonder if he's telling the truth.'
'Well, who knows?'