さ (Filler)
Like, You know, You see, Listen, Uhh
Structure
(1) さあ、さー、さ
Explanation
The Japanese word さ is a 感動詞 (interjection) that has three main functions. They can be categorized as follows:
誘い、促し - Prompting someone or getting their attention.
驚き、当惑し - Showing surprise, uncertainty, or perplexity.
話の流れを抑える - To pause or manage the flow of a conversation.
This lesson will concentrate on the second function: expressing surprise, uncertainty, or perplexity. It functions much like English filler words such as 'well,' 'like,' or 'you know.' Speakers often use these short interjections to fill a pause while they gather their thoughts. This さ can appear anywhere in a sentence to buy a moment for thinking.
- あのさ、君さあ、先週さあ、漫画借りたでしょ？あれさあ、もう読んだ？Hey, uhm… you, like, borrowed a manga last week, right? Well… have you finished it yet?
- ねえ、聞いてよ。部長がさ、突然転勤しろって言うんだけど、どうしよう。Hey, get this. So, you know my boss? He suddenly told me I have to transfer, and I don't know what to do.
The 'uncertainty' indicated by this さ isn't always negative. It's frequently used by speakers simply to show that they are still speaking and haven't completed their thought.
- 週末パーティーをするんだけどさ…何かいい案ない？I'm throwing a party this weekend, sooo… got any good ideas?
- 昨日道で財布を拾ってさあ...中に十万円も入ってたんだよ。I found a wallet on the street yesterday, and you know… there was 100,000 yen inside!
Examples
「このケーキさ、昨日から食べたかったんだ。」
'This cake, you know, I've been wanting to eat it since yesterday.'
友達との会話：「ねえ、あのさ、ちょっと聞いてほしいことがあるんだけど。」
Chat between friends: 'Hey, listen, there's something I need to tell you.'
「あのさぁ、週末の予定ってもう決まってる？」
'Hey, have you decided on your plans for the weekend yet?'
「この店さ、いつも混んでるよね。」
'This shop is always crowded, isn't it?'
Ａ：「僕さぁ、辛いものが全然食べられないんだ。」
Ｂ：「え、そうなの？意外！」
A: 'You know, I can't eat spicy food at all.'
B: 'Oh, really? That's surprising!'
Ａ：「田中さんってさ、最近会社辞めたらしいよ。」
Ｂ：「まじで？知らなかった。」
A: 'Speaking of Tanaka-san, you know, I heard he quit the company recently.'
B: 'Seriously? I had no idea.'
彼氏：「俺のどこが好きなの？」
彼女：「うーん、そういうとこさぁ…。」
Boyfriend: 'What do you like about me?'
Girlfriend: 'Umm, that kind of thing, you know…'
夫婦喧嘩：「だからさあ、何度も同じこと言わせないでくれよさあ！」
Argument between a married couple: 'Look, don't make me say the same thing over and over again, alright?!'
「それでさぁ、電車に乗り遅れてさぁ、結局遅刻しちゃったんだ。」
'And so, you see, I missed the train, and then, I ended up being late.'
Ａ：「この映画、最高だったな！」
Ｂ：「俺はさぁ、あんまり面白いと思わなかったけど。」
A: 'That movie was the best!'
B: 'As for me, personally, I didn't think it was all that interesting.'
子供が親に：「あのさ、今度の日曜日、遊園地に連れてってくれない？」
Child to their parent: 'Umm, could you take me to the amusement park this Sunday?'
姉：「ねぇ、お母さんの誕生日のプレゼントさぁ、どうする？」
妹：「あ、そろそろ考えないとね。」
Older sister: 'Hey, about Mom's birthday present, you know, what should we do?'
Younger sister: 'Oh, you're right. We should start thinking about that soon.'