Translation and Meaning of: 性 - saga

The Japanese word 性[さが] is a term that arouses curiosity both for its writing and its meaning. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, and how it is used in everyday Japanese. Additionally, we will look at tips for memorizing it and contexts in which it appears, whether in conversations or in media. If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the language, understanding 性[さが] can enrich your vocabulary and your cultural understanding.

Meaning and use of 性[さが]

性[さが] is a word that carries a deep meaning, often related to someone's intrinsic nature or character. In English, it can be translated as "nature" or "natural disposition," reflecting a person's innate tendencies. Unlike other words that describe personality, さが has a more philosophical tone, suggesting something that is rooted in the individual.

In everyday life, Japanese people use this word to refer to personality aspects that are difficult to change. For example, someone might say "彼の性で仕方がない" (kare no saga de shikata ga nai), indicating that certain attitudes are simply part of that person's nature. This usage shows how the term is tied to acceptance and understanding of individual characteristics.

Origin and writing of the kanji 性

The kanji 性 is composed of two elements: the radical 忄(which represents the heart) and the component 生(which means "life" or "birth"). Together, they suggest the idea of an inherent nature, something that is part of the essence of a being from its beginning. This construction reflects well the meaning of さが, which is related to deep and lasting traits.

It's worth noting that 性 can also be read as "sei" in other contexts, such as in 性格 (seikaku, "personality"). However, the reading さが is less common and primarily appears in specific expressions or in older language. This duality of readings is an interesting aspect for those learning Japanese, as it shows how the same kanji can have varied uses.

Tips for memorizing and using 性[さが]

An effective way to fix this word is to associate it with situations where personal characteristics are discussed. For example, think of someone who always behaves in a certain way, even when trying to change. This resistance to transformation is precisely what さが represents. Creating sentences like "自分の性と向き合う" (jibun no saga to mukiau, "facing one's own nature") can help internalize the term.

Another interesting fact is that 性[さが] appears in some proverbs and traditional expressions, reinforcing its role in Japanese culture. Although it is not an extremely common word in modern Japanese, its use in specific contexts makes it valuable for those who want to understand nuances of the language. Observing how it appears in dramas, books, or even in deeper conversations can be a great way to learn.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 性格 (Seikaku) - personality
• 性質 (Seishitsu) - Natureza, característica
• 性能 (Seinou) - Desempenho, capacidade
• 性癖 (Seiheki) - Preference, tendency, sexual habit
• 性格特徴 (Seikaku Tokuchou) - Personality traits
• 性向 (Seikou) - Inclinação, tendência
• 性分化 (Seibunkam) - Diferenciação sexual
• 性的 (Seiteki) - Sexual, related to sex
• 性欲 (Seiyoku) - sexual desire
• 性差異 (Seisaai) - Diferenças sexuais
• 性別 (Seibetsu) - Gênero, sexo
• 性格検査 (Seikaku Kensa) - Personality test
• 性格研究 (Seikaku Kenkyuu) - Research on personality
• 性格診断 (Seikaku Shindan) - Personality diagnosis
• 性格改善 (Seikaku Kaizen) - Improvement of personality
• 性格障害 (Seikaku Shougai) - Personality disorder
• 性格形成 (Seikaku Keisei) - Formation of personality
• 性格傾向 (Seikaku Keikou) - Personality trend
• 性格特性 (Seikaku Tokusei) - Personality traits
• 性格分析 (Seikaku Bunseki) - Personality analysis
• 性格評価 (Seikaku Hyouka) - Personality assessment
• 性格測定 (Seikaku Sokutei) - Personality measurement
• 性格形質 (Seikaku Keishitsu) - Personality traits
• 性格変化 (Seikaku Henka) - Personality change
• 性格形成論 (Seikaku Keiseiron) - Theory of personality formation
• 性格発達 (Seikaku Hattatsu) - Development of personality
• 性格構造 (Seikaku Kouzou) - Personality structure
• 性格心理学 (Seikaku Shinrigaku) - Personality psychology
• 性格的特徴 (Seikaku-teki Tokuchou) - Typical personality traits
• 性格的特性 (Seikaku-teki Tokusei) - Typical personality traits

性

Romaji: saga
Kana: さが
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: one's nature; custom; property; feature

Meaning in English: one's nature;custom;property;characteristic

Definition: Male or female characteristics possessed by an organism.

Example Sentences - (性) saga

See below some example sentences:

彼は女性を拐うつもりだった。

Kare wa josei o sarau tsumori datta

He intended to kidnap a woman.

He intended to kidnap the woman.

• 彼 - He
• は - Topic particle
• 女性 - Woman
• を - Direct object particle
• 拐う - Kidnap
• つもり - Intention
• だった - Past tense of the verb "to be"

建築は美しさと機能性の両方を備えた芸術です。

Kenchiku wa utsukushisa to kinōsei no ryōhō o sonaeta geijutsu desu

Architecture is an art that combines beauty and functionality.

Architecture is an art with beauty and functionality.

• 建築 - construction, building
• 美しさ - beauty
• と - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• 機能性 - functionality
• の - of
• 両方 - both, the two
• を - direct object
• 備えた - equipped, endowed
• 芸術 - art
• です - is

小柄な女性はとても可愛らしいです。

Kobugara na josei wa totemo kawairashii desu

Small women are very cute.

Small women are very cute.

• 小柄な - means "small" or "short"
• 女性 - means "woman"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the short woman"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛らしい - adjective meaning "cute" or "adorable"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

女性は強くて美しいです。

Josei wa tsuyokute utsukushii desu

Women are strong and beautiful.

Women are strong and beautiful.

• 女性 (josei) - means "woman" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "woman"
• 強くて (tsuyokute) - Adverb that means "strong" or "powerful", used here to describe the woman.
• 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "pretty" or "beautiful", used here to describe the woman
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating the existence or state of something, in this case, the strong and beautiful woman

多様性は豊かさの源です。

Tayousei wa yutakasa no minamoto desu

Diversity is the source of wealth.

Diversity is a source of wealth.

• 多様性 (たようせい) - diversity
• は - Topic particle
• 豊かさ (ゆたかさ) - wealth, abundance
• の - Possessive particle
• 源 (みなもと) - source, origin
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

国産の車はとても信頼性が高いです。

Kokusansha no kuruma wa totemo shinraisei ga takai desu

Domestic cars are very reliable.

Household cars are very reliable.

• 国産 - means "produced in Japan"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 車 - means "car"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 信頼性 - means "reliability"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb that indicates the polite way of saying or asking

兵器は戦争を引き起こす可能性がある。

Heiki wa sensou wo hikio kosu kanousei ga aru

Weapons have the potential to cause war.

• 兵器 - weapon
• は - Topic particle
• 戦争 - war
• を - direct object particle
• 引き起こす - cause
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist

不潔な人は健康に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

Fuketsu na hito wa kenkō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

The dirty person can have a negative impact on health.

Dirty people may have a negative effect on health.

• 不潔な人 (fuketsu na hito) - dirty person
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 健康 (kenkou) - health
• に (ni) - target particle
• 悪影響 (aku eikyou) - negative effect
• を (wo) - object particle
• 与える (ataeru) - cause
• 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - exists

丈夫な男性が道を歩いている。

Joufu na dansei ga michi wo aruite iru

A strong man is walking down the street.

A durable man is walking on the road.

• 丈夫な - adjective meaning "strong"
• 男性 - noun that means "man"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 道 - noun that means "path"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 歩いている - verb that means "is walking" in the present continuous

オートメーションは生産性を向上させるために重要な役割を果たしています。

Ootomeeshon wa seisansei wo koujou saseru tame ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Automation plays an important role in improving productivity.

Automation plays an important role in improving productivity.

• オートメーション - automation
• は - Topic particle
• 生産性 - Productivity
• を - Direct object particle
• 向上させる - Improve
• ために - For
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - Paper
• を果たしています - Perform