1.
depth
The distance from the surface to the bottom, or the quality of being profound.
この池の深さはどのくらいですか。
How deep is this pond?
傷の深さを確認する。
To check the depth of the wound.
彼の知識の深さに驚いた。
I was surprised by the depth of his knowledge.
深さ is a noun meaning 'depth', derived from the adjective 深い (deep) plus the nominalizing suffix さ.
WORD FORMATION:
深い (adjective: deep) + さ (suffix) → 深さ (noun: depth)
This pattern (i-adjective stem + さ) creates abstract nouns:
- 高い → 高さ (height)
- 長い → 長さ (length)
- 広い → 広さ (width, spaciousness)
- 重い → 重さ (weight)
LITERAL USES (physical depth):
- 水の深さ: depth of water
- 傷の深さ: depth of a wound
- 雪の深さ: depth of snow
FIGURATIVE USES (abstract depth):
- 愛の深さ: depth of love
- 知識の深さ: depth of knowledge
- 悲しみの深さ: depth of sorrow
- 味わいの深さ: depth of flavor
CONTRAST:
- 深さ: depth (vertical distance down, or profundity)
- 奥行き: depth (front-to-back distance)
Related Words
Related:
深い (deep (adjective))