Translation and Meaning of: 歳 - sai

The Japanese word 歳 (さい) is an essential term for anyone learning the language, especially when the topic is age. If you've ever wondered how the Japanese talk about years of life or time counting, this kanji has certainly come up at some point. In this article, we will explore its meaning, everyday use, and even some curiosities that make this word so interesting in the cultural context of Japan.

In addition to being commonly used in daily conversations, 歳 carries nuances that may surprise Japanese learners. Whether in official documents, birthday greetings, or even in popular expressions, understanding its function is essential. Let's unravel its writing and the situations in which it naturally appears in the Japanese language.

Meaning and usage of 歳 (さい)

The kanji 歳, read as "sai," primarily means "years of age." It is used to indicate the age of people, animals, or even objects in specific contexts. For example, when saying "二十歳" (hatachi), we are referring to someone who is twenty years old. This is one of the most common applications of the term in everyday Japanese life.

It's worth noting that 歳 is not limited to just counting years of life. In some more formal or literary contexts, it can appear associated with the passage of time in general. However, its primary use remains related to human age, especially in official documents and situations that require precision.

Origin and writing of the kanji 歳

The character 歳 has an interesting history. Originally, in ancient China, it represented the idea of "annual harvest," which explains its association with the counting of years. Over time, this meaning expanded to include the age of people. The kanji is composed of elements that suggest the passage of time, reinforcing its temporal sense.

Regarding writing, 歳 is considered a medium-stroke kanji (12 in total) and can be a challenge for beginners. A helpful tip is to observe its structure: the radical 歩 (step) at the bottom and the component 戌 (dog, associated with the zodiac) at the top. This combination helps to memorize its form and differentiate it from similar kanjis.

Cultural curiosities about 歳

In Japan, the word 歳 stands out particularly at certain ages that are considered significant. Legal adulthood, for example, is called 成人式 (seijin-shiki) and occurs when young people turn 二十歳 (20 years old). This age-old tradition shows how the term is rooted in important rituals of Japanese society.

Another interesting aspect is the use of 歳 in expressions that denote respect. When asking someone's age who is older, it is common to use constructions like "おいくつですか" (oikutsu desu ka) instead of more direct forms. This care reflects the importance that Japanese culture places on age and social hierarchy, where 歳 serves as a marker of these relationships.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 年齢 (nenrei) - Age (usually refers to age in a specific context or of a person)
• 年 (nen) - Year (referring to a period of 12 months)
• 才 (sai) - Years (used to indicate age in years, especially in age counting)
• とし (toshi) - Year (it can refer to age or to the year in a more general context)

歳

Romaji: sai
Kana: さい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: #VVALUE!

Meaning in English:

Definition: lifetime.

Example Sentences - (歳) sai

See below some example sentences:

私の年齢は二十五歳です。

Watashi no nenrei wa nijuugosai desu

My age is 25 years old.

My age is 25 years old.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 年齢 - noun that means "age"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 二十五 - numeral meaning "25"
• 歳 - suffix that indicates "years old"
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

万歳！日本が大好きです！

Banzai! Nihon ga daisuki desu!

Alive! I love Japan!

Banzai! I love Japan!

• 万歳！ - "Banzai!" (Japanese expression of celebration)
• 日本 - Japan
• が - subject particle
• 大好き - "muito amado"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は二十歳です。

Watashi wa nijūsai desu

I am 20 years old.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates what is being talked about
• 二十 (ni juu) - number meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - unit of age meaning "years"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私は今年二十歳です。

Watashi wa kotoshi nijuu sai desu

I am 20 years old this year.

I am 20 years old this year.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 今年 (kotoshi) - noun meaning "this year"
• 二十 (hatachi) - numeral meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - suffix indicating age
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form