Ending things with 'sa'

[tehmodK]

Lately I've been watching a bunch of Japanese Television shows and i noticed they keep adding 'sa' to things.

"Ore sa", "Dakara sa" ~ i first thought it might replace "wa/ha" but i don't think i'm quite right. XD


Could anyone please explain?
=)

 

[Damicci]

It's nothing special,
about equivalent to saying "like" at the end of things....

Review and Wrapup of Section 4- Tae Kim's Japanese grammar guide

 

[nhk9]

It's one of those "time-buying" mechanism that people use when they are trying to think what to say next. Besides, it serves as an "attention grabber". Depending on the situation though, it could also express confidence in what you have said.

I've met people who use this on every sentence that they uttered. The people that abuse this don't even seem to know it!

 

[JimmySeal]

I once overheard one of my students talking to a teacher and using "na" after every phrase he uttered. It was like listening to one of those dull-witted characters from Back to the Future, e.g.,
"So I says to the guy, yeah? I says, yeah? 'You don't know what you talkin about, yeah? And you know what he says?"
et cetera, et cetera

 

[yukio_michael]

I say this, I learned it from my girlfriend, for example, I'll say, ano sa--- to get someone's attention, then another ano.... before I begin speaking... it buys you considerable time to think of how you will say what you say.

 

[DoctorP]

I've noticed that it is mainly used by children or adults who were not that well educated. Of course I am speaking about when it is used repeatedly in a conversation.

 

[Cue]

Kanto people have tendency to use "sa" while Kansai people would use "na" in this usage. And I do use "na" very often in a casual conversation.

But I speak this way only when I'm speaking to someone very close in relationship to show closeness and friendliness, for instance my family and my close friends. I wouldn't dare to use "sa/na" to any strangers, elder people whom I'm not very familiar with, or anyone in the higher rank than I.

In my humble opinion, I think it sounds polite when you speak without "sa/na", and thus it could sound a bit standoffish sometimes, depending on your relationship with him/her.


Q

 

[tehmodK]

Ah thanks. Yeah i didnt think it would have a great importance in changing the meaning of things, but how they came out.


"na" and "sa" interesting~
in tokyo, which dialect is more predominant?
does it change by prefectures?

(i'm thinking of meguro-ku since im destined there in a few)

 

[Elizabeth]

I say this, I learned it from my girlfriend, for example, I'll say, ano sa--- to get someone's attention, then another ano.... before I begin speaking... it buys you considerable time to think of how you will say what you say.

Another non-overlapping usage is for 'sa' at the end of a sentence to reinforce a opinion or grab the user's attention when emphasizing a personal viewpoint. I think this is a style mostly used by men, of all ages (?), and has nothing to do with hesitancy, friendliness or as a sentence-filler. It may be limited experience, but at least that is the context and intended meaning I've picked up on....

 

[Kinsao]

Elizabeth, I'd heard that as well (although I can't remember where I heard it! )