This word adds a short pause. It can make your speech sound more natural. It is like saying 'you know' or 'like' in English.
Clause + さPrimary
This word adds a short pause. It can make your speech sound more natural. It is like saying 'you know' or 'like' in English.
昨日さ、渋谷で面白いもの見つけたんだよ。
Yesterday, you know, I found something interesting in Shibuya.
いや、俺はさ、別にそれが嫌いなわけじゃないんだ。
No, it's not that I particularly dislike that, you see.
この前の会議でさ、部長が言ってたこと、覚えてる？
About that meeting the other day, do you remember what the department head was saying?
なんでさ、いつも私の言うこと信じてくれないの？
Why is it, you know, that you never believe what I say?
今日のテストはさ、思ったより難しかったな。
Today's test, you know, was harder than I thought.
This word started in Tokyo. Now, many people use it. Younger people use it a lot. It can sound a bit strong or boyish. But everyone uses it when they talk casually.
This さ is not the same as さ that makes words into nouns. For example, 高さ (takasa) means 'height'. This さ is also different from words like じゃん (jan) or だべ (dabe) at the end of a sentence.
Don't use this when you need to be polite. For example, don't use it with your boss. This word is for casual talk. It is never at the end of a sentence. It is always in the middle. It often comes after another small word.
Use this when you want to pause in your speech. It helps you think. It also makes your talking sound more natural. It is like saying 'you know' or 'like' in English.
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