Translation and Meaning of: 作家 - saka

The Japanese word 作家[さっか] is a term that arouses curiosity for both language students and those interested in Japanese culture. If you have ever wondered what it means, how to use it, or what its origin is, this article will clarify these questions in a direct and practical way. We will explore everything from the basic meaning to cultural details that make this word special in the Japanese vocabulary.

Meaning and usage of 作家 [さっか]

The term 作家[さっか] refers to a "writer" or "author," but its meaning goes beyond that. In Japan, it is commonly associated with professionals who create literary works, such as novels, short stories, and essays. Unlike 作者[さくしゃ], which can be used for any type of creator, 作家 carries a more formal and respectful tone.

An interesting aspect is that 作家 can also be applied to artists in other fields, such as painters or sculptors, when their work has a recognized authorial character. This shows how the word is linked to the idea of artistic creation, not just writing. If you are learning Japanese, it is worth noting that it frequently appears in cultural and academic contexts.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The etymology of 作家 is fascinating. The first kanji, 作[さく], means "to do" or "to create," while the second, 家[か], can be translated as "house" or "specialist." Together, they embody the idea of someone who masters the art of creation. This combination is not exclusive to Japanese – in Chinese, the same characters have a similar meaning.

It is worth noting that the kanji 家 appears in several other words that denote professions, such as 音楽家[おんがくか] (musician) and 画家[がか] (painter). This pattern aids in memorization and in understanding how Japanese categorizes different types of artists and specialists. If you already know some of these terms, it becomes easier to associate 作家 with its correct meaning.

Cultural use and perception in Japan

In Japan, being called a 作家 is an important recognition. The word carries significant cultural weight, often associated with prestige and dedication to the art. Unlike how we see writers in the West, in Japan there is a clear distinction between those who write professionally (作家) and those who produce more casual content.

A curious fact is that many famous 作家 in Japan have their works adapted into dramas, mangas, and even video games. Authors like Haruki Murakami and Natsume Sōseki are often referred to as 作家, which reinforces the elevated status of the word. If you are a fan of Japanese literature, you have probably encountered this term on book covers or in literary discussions.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 筆者 (Hissha) - Author; a person who writes a work, such as an article or book.
• 著者 (Chosha) - Author; especially one who writes books or academic works.
• 文筆家 (Bunpitsuka) - Writer; a person who writes, often used to describe someone who writes in a more artistic or literary way.
• 小説家 (Shousetsuka) - Novelist; author of novels or fiction.
• 詩人 (Shijin) - Poet; author of poems.
• 文学者 (Bungakusha) - Literary scholar; scholar or academic of literature.

作家

Romaji: saka
Kana: さっか
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: author; writer; novelist; artist

Meaning in English: author;writer;novelist;artist

Definition: A person who creates literary works.

Example Sentences - (作家) saka

See below some example sentences:

この作家の小説はとても面白いです。

Kono sakka no shousetsu wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This writer's novel is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative indicating proximity, in this case "this"
• 作家 - noun that means "writer"
• の - particle indicating possession, in this case "of"
• 小説 - noun that means "romance" or "novel"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 面白い - adjective meaning "interesting" or "fun"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the present, in this case, "é"

この本は有名な作家の著作です。

Kono hon wa yuumei na sakka no chosaku desu

This book is a work by a famous writer.

This book is a famous writer.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 有名な - adjective meaning "famous"
• 作家 - noun that means "writer"
• の - possession particle indicating that the writer is the owner of the work
• 著作 - noun meaning "literary work"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form