This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

Reading

Kana: ちゃま
Romaji: chama
Kana
Romaji

Definition

suf
1

Mr.; Mrs.; Ms.

Note: after a person's name (or position, etc.)
Note: honorific or respectful (sonkeigo) language; familiar language; children's language; word usually written using kana alone

Kanji

Readings: ヨウ、 ショウ、 さま、 さん
Meanings: Esq., way, manner, situation, polite suffix

Example Sentences

客様(きゃくさま)は?
➥What will you be having?
Full Entry➤
(なに)(よう)だ。
➥What do you want?
Full Entry➤
()(どく)(さま)
➥I am sorry for you.
Full Entry➤
同様(どうよう)に。
➥The same to you.
Full Entry➤
よう!元気(げんき)
➥Yo, my man!
Full Entry➤
ざまあ()ろ。
➥That serves you right.
Full Entry➤
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Reading

Kana: よう
Romaji: you
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

appearing ...; looking ...

Note: usu. after the -masu stem of a verb
Note: word usually written using kana alone
See also: 様だ
2

way to ...; method of ...ing

Note: usu. after the -masu stem of a verb
3

form; style; design

Note: usu. after a noun
4

like; similar to

Note: usu. after a noun
See also: 様だ
5

thing (thought or spoken)

Kanji

Readings: ヨウ、 ショウ、 さま、 さん
Meanings: Esq., way, manner, situation, polite suffix

Example Sentences

客様(きゃくさま)は?
➥What will you be having?
Full Entry➤
(なに)(よう)だ。
➥What do you want?
Full Entry➤
()(どく)(さま)
➥I am sorry for you.
Full Entry➤
同様(どうよう)に。
➥The same to you.
Full Entry➤
よう!元気(げんき)
➥Yo, my man!
Full Entry➤
ざまあ()ろ。
➥That serves you right.
Full Entry➤
Find More

方、 状

Reading

Kana: さま
Romaji: sama
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

suf
1

Mr.; Mrs.; Miss; Ms.

Note: after a person's name (or position, etc.)
Note: honorific or respectful (sonkeigo) language
2

makes words more polite (usu. in fixed expressions)

Note: usu. after a noun or na-adjective prefixed with お- or ご-
Note: polite (teineigo) language
See also: お粗末さまでした
3

state; situation; appearance

Kanji

Readings: ヨウ、 ショウ、 さま、 さん
Meanings: Esq., way, manner, situation, polite suffix
Readings: ホウ、 かた、 -かた、 -がた
Meanings: direction, person, alternative
Reading: ジョウ
Meanings: status quo, conditions, circumstances, form, appearance

Example Sentences

客様(きゃくさま)は?
➥What will you be having?
Full Entry➤
(なに)(よう)だ。
➥What do you want?
Full Entry➤
()(どく)(さま)
➥I am sorry for you.
Full Entry➤
同様(どうよう)に。
➥The same to you.
Full Entry➤
よう!元気(げんき)
➥Yo, my man!
Full Entry➤
ざまあ()ろ。
➥That serves you right.
Full Entry➤
Find More

Reading

Kana: ざま
Romaji: zama
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

mess; sorry state; plight; sad sight

Note: derogatory; word usually written using kana alone
suf
2

-ways; -wards

Note: indicates direction
3

in the act of ...; just as one is ...

Note: after the -masu stem of a verb
4

manner of ...; way of ...

Note: after the -masu stem of a verb
See also: (reading さま, entry #3)

Kanji

Readings: ヨウ、 ショウ、 さま、 さん
Meanings: Esq., way, manner, situation, polite suffix
Readings: タイ、 わざ.と
Meanings: attitude, condition, figure, appearance, voice (of verbs)

Example Sentences

客様(きゃくさま)は?
➥What will you be having?
Full Entry➤
(なに)(よう)だ。
➥What do you want?
Full Entry➤
()(どく)(さま)
➥I am sorry for you.
Full Entry➤
同様(どうよう)に。
➥The same to you.
Full Entry➤
よう!元気(げんき)
➥Yo, my man!
Full Entry➤
ざまあ()ろ。
➥That serves you right.
Full Entry➤
Find More

様、 例し

Reading

Kana: ためし
Romaji: tameshi
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

precedent; example

Kanji

Readings: レイ、 たと.える
Meanings: example, custom, usage, precedent
Readings: ヨウ、 ショウ、 さま、 さん
Meanings: Esq., way, manner, situation, polite suffix

Example Sentences

(れい)(つぎ)(とお)りです。
➥The examples are as follows.
Full Entry➤
(べつ)(れい)(しめ)しなさい。
➥Show me another example.
Full Entry➤
たとえ()(なか)(みず)(なか)
➥Go through fire and water.
Full Entry➤
そんな先例(せんれい)はない。
➥We have no such example.
Full Entry➤
実例(じつれい)教訓(きょうくん)にまさる。
➥Example is better than precept.
Full Entry➤
例外(れいがい)原則(げんそく)のある証拠(しょうこ)
➥The exception proves the rule.
Full Entry➤
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