沙汰(さた)

さた
noun
notice, affair, matter
communication
1. news, word, contact
Communication or contact from someone, especially after a period of silence. Often used in the negative to mean 'no word' or 'no news.'
彼(かれ)からは何(なん)の沙汰(さた)もない。
There's been no word from him.
長(なが)い間(あいだ)沙汰(さた)がなかったが、突然(とつぜん)連絡(れんらく)が来(き)た。
There had been no contact for a long time, but suddenly I heard from them.
合否(ごうひ)の沙汰(さた)を待(ま)っている。
I'm waiting for word on whether I passed or failed.
2. matter, affair, case
A matter or situation, especially one that is problematic, scandalous, or requiring judgment. Often used in set phrases to characterize the nature of a situation.
こんな時間(じかん)に電話(でんわ)するなんて正気(しょうき)の沙汰(さた)じゃない。
Calling at this hour is sheer madness.
地獄(じごく)の沙汰(さた)も金(かね)次第(しだい)。
Even in hell, money talks.
A well-known proverb meaning that money can influence any outcome.
あの値段(ねだん)で売(う)るとは、正気(しょうき)の沙汰(さた)とは思(おも)えない。
Selling it at that price — I can't believe anyone in their right mind would do that.

Usage

Most commonly encountered in set phrases rather than as a standalone word. The phrase 正気(しょうき)の沙汰(さた)ではない (not the act of a sane person; sheer madness) is extremely common. The proverb 地獄(じごく)の沙汰(さた)も金(かね)次第(しだい) (even in hell, money talks) is widely known.

Historically, 沙汰(さた) referred to a legal ruling or judgment, and this sense survives in the phrase 裁判(さいばん)沙汰(ざた) (court case, lawsuit — note the voicing to ざた).

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.24 21:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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