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:

性別を尊重しましょう。

Seibetsu wo sonchou shimashou

Let's respect gender.

Respect gender.

• 性別 (seibetsu) - genre
• を (wo) - object particle
• 尊重 (sonchou) - Respect
• しましょう (shimashou) - polite form of the verb "to do"

性質は人それぞれです。

Seishitsu wa hito sorezore desu

The properties are different for each person.

• 性質 (seishitsu) - nature, character
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人 (hito) - person
• それぞれ (sorezore) - Each one, individually
• です (desu) - verb "to be"

意識が高い人は成功する可能性が高いです。

Ishiki ga takai hito wa seikou suru kanousei ga takai desu

Highly conscious people will probably be successful.

• 意識が高い人 - Conscious people
• は - Topic particle
• 成功する - Success
• 可能性が高い - High probability
• です - Sentence-ending particle

放射能は環境に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

Hōshanō wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Radioactivity can have an adverse effect on the environment.

• 放射能 - Radiation
• は - Topic marking particle
• 環境 - environment
• に - Destination marking particle
• 悪影響 - negative effect
• を - object marker particle
• 与える - cause
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject marking particle
• あります - exists

日本の経済が没落する可能性がある。

Nihon no keizai ga bottsuroku suru kanousei ga aru

The Japanese economy may fall.

• 日本 - Country name
• の - Possession particle
• 経済 - economy
• が - subject particle
• 没落する - decline, collapse
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"

日本の民族は多様性に富んでいます。

Nihon no minzoku wa tayousei ni yondete imasu

The Japanese are diversity.

• 日本の民族 - Japanese people
• は - Topic particle
• 多様性 - Diversity
• に - connecting particle
• 富んでいます - Being rich in

模倣は創造性の敵だ。

Mohou wa souzousei no teki da

Imitation is an enemy of creativity.

• 模倣 - imitation
• は - Topic particle
• 創造性 - Creativity
• の - Possession particle
• 敵 - enemy
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

温和な性格を持っています。

Onwa na seikaku wo motte imasu

I have a gentle personality.

I have a light personality.

• 温和な - friendly, gentle, soft
• 性格 - personality, character
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - Land, possess

無限の可能性がある。

Mugen no kanōsei ga aru

There is an infinite possibility.

• 無限 - means "infinite" in Japanese.
• の - It is a possessive particle in Japanese, equivalent to "de" in English.
• 可能性 - means "possibility" in Japanese.
• が - It is a subject particle in Japanese, equivalent to "is" in English.
• ある - means "to exist" in Japanese.
• . - period, indicating the end of the sentence.

物質は化学的な性質を持っています。

Bussitsu wa kagakuteki na seishitsu o motte imasu

Materials have chemical properties.

The materials have a chemical nature.

• 物質 - means "matter" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• 化学的な - compound adjective formed by the words "化学" (chemistry) and "的" (suffix indicating that something is related to something). It means "chemical".
• 性質 - means "property" in Japanese.
• を - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - verb "持つ" (to have) conjugated in the polite and present form. It means "have".