ISORI

〜さ

JLPT N4:

-ness (adjective → noun)

Turns an adjective into a noun for the quality or its degree: 高(たか)さ (height), 優(やさ)しさ (kindness).

How to form it

  • い-adjectives drop the final い and add さ: 高(たか)い becomes 高(たか)さ. いい becomes よさ.
  • な-adjectives add さ: 静(しず)か becomes 静(しず)かさ.

Examples

い-adjective
高(たか)い(high)高(たか)さ
いい(good)よさnot いいさ
な-adjective
静(しず)か(quiet)静(しず)かさ

Example sentences

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 three thousand metres high.

彼(かれ)の優(やさ)しさに感動(かんどう)した。

I was moved by his kindness.

Notes

  • It often gives a measurement: 大(おお)きさ (size), 長(なが)さ (length), 重(おも)さ (weight).
  • A few adjectives also take み, which is closer to something felt: 甘(あま)み (sweetness), 楽(たの)しみ (something to look forward to).

Common mistakes

  • Keeping the い. Say 高(たか)さ, not 高(たか)いさ.