1.
shortness; brevity
The quality or degree of being short, whether in physical length, duration of time, or extent.
Formed by adding the suffix 〜さ to the adjective 短い (short), converting it into a noun expressing the degree or quality of shortness. The 〜さ suffix is productive and can be applied to most i-adjectives (e.g., 長さ "length," 高さ "height").
Common collocations
- 人生の短さ: the brevity of life
- 日の短さ: the shortness of days
- 時間の短さ: the shortness of time
- 短さが魅力: brevity is its appeal
Common patterns
The 〜さ suffix turns i-adjectives into nouns expressing degree or extent. It attaches to the stem (without the final い): 短い → 短さ, 長い → 長さ, 高い → 高さ.