JLPT N3 Grammar – Nominalizing adjectives with み and さ

Table of Contents

1. The Difference Between Nominalization of Adjectives
2. Nominalization Using “み”
3. Nominalization Using “さ”
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: When converting adjectives to nouns like “痛いたみ” and “痛いたさ”, is there a difference between the two?

A: Adjectives can be converted into nouns using “み” and “さ”, but there are differences in their nuances.

Nominalization Using “み” (JLPT N3)

[Rule]　　
[A] い adjectiveい＋み　

[Examples]
年としを取とってひざに痛いたみを感かんじるようになりました。
As I have gotten older, I have started to feel pain in my knees.

このいちごは甘あまみが強つよいです。
These strawberries have a strong sweetness.

大事だいじな犬いぬを亡なくして私わたくしたち家族かぞくは悲かなしみの中なかにいます。
After losing our beloved dog, my family is enveloped in sadness.

肌はだが乾燥かんそうするとかゆみが強つよくなります。
When my skin gets dry, the itchiness becomes more intense.

Nominalization Using “さ” (JLPT N3)

[Rules]
[A] い adjectivesい＋さ　
[Na] なadjectivesな＋さ
*For “いい”, use “よい”, which becomes “よさ”.

[Examples]
出産しゅっさんは死しにそうなぐらいの痛いたさでした。
Giving birth was so painful that it felt like I was going to die.

この車くるまのシルエットのかっこよさが好すきなんだ。
I love the cool silhouette of this car.

N1に合格ごうかくした嬉うれしさは計はかり知しれません。
The joy of passing the N1 exam is immeasurable.

この町まちの便利べんりさが気きに入いっています。
I like the convenience of this town.

Let’s Compare

Basically, “み” expresses a sense, quality, or characteristic, while “さ” expresses a specific degree.

[Exapmples]
年としを取とってひざに痛いたみを感かんじるようになりました。
As I have gotten older, I have started to feel pain in my knees.
⇒ Since “pain” is a sensation, “み” is used.

出産しゅっさんは死しにそうなぐらいの痛いたさでした。
Giving birth was so painful that it felt like I was going to die.
⇒ The degree of “pain” is expressed as “so painful it feels like dying.”

Let’s think a little more deeply about the differences.

[Exapmple]
厚あつみ VS 厚あつさ
このステーキの厚あつみはすごいですね。
このステーキの厚あつさはすごいですね。
The thickness of this steak is incredible.

In this case, either one conveys the meaning, but there is a subtle difference. “厚あつみ” emphasizes the quality or characteristic of the meat, highlighting what makes it different from other meats. In this case, it indicates that the thickness of the meat is different.
On the other hand, “厚あつさ” refers to the dimension of the meat (how many centimeters thick it is).

[Exapmple]
あまみ VS あまさ
このいちごのジュースのあまみが人気にんきです。
The sweetness of this strawberry juice is popular.

ここのジュースはあまさのレベルを変かえられます。
You can adjust the level of sweetness in the juice here.

“あまみ” refers to the sweetness itself, while “あまさ” indicates the degree or intensity of that sweetness.　

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In fact, there are limitations on the adjectives that can use “み.”

For example, while “長ながい” can be turned into “長ながさ,” it cannot be turned into “長ながみ.”
Let’s look at other examples of adjectives that cannot use “み.”

白しろい(white)・黒くろい(black)・大おおきい(big)・かたい(hard)・太ふとい(thick)・新あたらしい(new)・いい/よい(good)・悪わるい(bad)・難むずかしい(difficult)・高たかい(tall/high)・安やすい(cheap)・うれしい(happy)・眠ねむい(sleepy)・
寒さむい(cold)・暑あつい(hot)・冷つめたい(cold to touch)・熱あつい(hot to touch)・忙いそがしい(busy)・
おいしい(delicious)・しょっぱい(salty)・すっぱい(sour)

Compared to “み”, “さ” has fewer restrictions.
However, it is important to note that some verbs expressing sensations are represented with “さ” even if they are related to feelings.

[Examples]　
このうれしさは言葉ことばでは表現ひょうげんできません。
This happiness cannot be expressed in words.
　　　　
眠ねむさががまんできなくて昼寝ひるねをしました。
I couldn’t bear the sleepiness and took a nap.
　　　　
今年ことしの寒さむさは去年きょねんよりましです。
This year’s cold is better than last year’s.

Summary

Nominalization Using “み”

• Expresses “sensation, nature, or characteristics.”
• Note that there are limitations on the adjectives that can be used.

Nominalization Using “さ”

• Refers to specific “degree or intensity.”
• There are not many limitations on the adjectives that can be used, but some verbs that express sensations may be represented with “さ.”

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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