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様
Manner, State, Polite Suffix
さま (sama)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
The kanji 様 is widely used as the respectful suffix '〜様,' as in お客様 (customer) and 神様 (god). It also appears in 様子 (condition or situation).
Memory Trick
Imagine bowing respectfully to an IMPORTANT GUEST and addressing them as 'SAMA.' That polite respect is captured by 様.
Readings
Onyomi: ヨウ (you)
Kunyomi: さま (sama)
Example Words
様
さま (sama)
Mr./Ms. (very polite)
お客様
おきゃくさま (okyakusama)
Customer
様子
ようす (yousu)
Condition, Situation
神様
かみさま (kamisama)
God
Example Sentence
お客様が 来ました。
おきゃくさまが きました。
okyakusama ga kimashita
A customer has arrived.