Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“As expected,” “indeed,” “even,” “just as one would expect.”
🎯 Primary Function
Used to express that something is remarkable or unsurprising, given someone’s or something’s reputation, ability, or nature. さすがに functions as an adverb modifying a verb, adjective, or clause. さすがの functions like an adjectival phrase modifying a noun.
📋 Grammar Structure
さすがに + Verb / い-Adjective / な-Adjective + だ / Noun + だ
さすがの + Noun
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used to respectfully acknowledge someone’s expertise or success.
Informal Situations
Commonly used to praise friends or express being impressed.
Written Language
Appears in various written materials including articles, essays, and fiction.
Spoken Language
Very common in daily conversation.
💡 Common Applications
Acknowledging someone’s skill or reputation
Used to express that someone lived up to their reputation or expectations.
Example: 山田さんは有名な建築家だから、さすがに彼のデザインは素晴らしい。 (Yamada-san wa yūmei na kenchikuka da kara, sasuga ni kare no dezain wa subarashii.) – Mr. Yamada is a famous architect, so his design is wonderful, as expected.
Expressing being impressed
Used to show admiration or surprise at something impressive.
Example: 彼は練習時間が短かったのに、さすがに試合で勝った。 (Kare wa renshū jikan ga mijikakatta noni, sasuga ni shiai de katta.) – Even though his practice time was short, he won the match. Impressive! (As expected of him/his talent).
Stating something is difficult/impossible even for someone/something capable
Used to express that even a capable person or thing found something difficult or impossible, highlighting the difficulty of the task itself.
Example: さすがの彼でも、この問題は解けなかったらしい。 (Sasuga no kare demo, kono mondai wa tokenakatta rashii.) – Apparently, even someone as capable as him couldn’t solve this problem.
Frequency
Fairly common in both spoken and written Japanese.
Difficulty
N4
Example Sentences
彼女は天才ピアニストだから、さすがに演奏が違うね。
She’s a genius pianist, so as expected, her performance is different (amazing), isn’t it?
このレストランは有名だから、さすがにいつも混んでいる。
This restaurant is famous, so as expected, it’s always crowded.
彼は毎日トレーニングしているから、さすがに体力がすごい。
He trains every day, so as expected, his physical strength is amazing.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Difference between さすがに and さすがの
さすがに is an adverb modifying verbs, adjectives, or clauses. さすがの is an adjectival phrase modifying nouns.
Example: さすがに疲れた (I’m tired, as expected) vs. さすがの彼 (the impressive/capable him)
Expressing a sense of ‘even’
While often meaning ‘as expected,’ さすがに/さすがの can also emphasize that something applies ‘even’ to someone or something highly capable, highlighting the difficulty of the situation.
Example: さすがの専門家でも間違えることがある。(Even experts can make mistakes.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using さすがの directly before a verb or adjective.
✅ Use さすがに before verbs or adjectives.
さすがの modifies nouns, さすがに modifies verbs, adjectives, or clauses.
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🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally neutral, but can be used respectfully to praise someone’s abilities. Context matters.
Social Situations: Commonly used in various social contexts, from casual conversations to more formal discussions about achievements.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in meaning or usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
さすがに vs. やはり/やっぱり
While all can mean ‘as expected,’ さすがに often carries a stronger sense of admiration or acknowledges a reputation/ability. やはり/やっぱり can simply state that something turned out as anticipated without necessarily implying remarkable ability.
When to use: Use さすがに when you want to emphasize that something is impressive or logical given someone’s capabilities/reputation. Use やはり/やっぱり for general ‘as expected’ situations.
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📝 Conjugation Notes
さすがに is an adverb and does not conjugate. さすがの functions like a な-adjective modifying a noun.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ‘ga’ in さすが is usually pronounced clearly. The ‘ni’ and ‘no’ particles follow standard pronunciation.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of さすが as ‘super GAsu’ (gas) – impressive power! さすがに = super gas **ni**cely done. さすがの = super gas **no**t just anyone.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word: 山田さんはテニスが上手だから、( ) 試合に勝った。
やはり
さすがに
たぶん
もしも
Choose the correct word: ( ) 彼の力でも、この石は動かせないだろう。
たしかに
もちろん
さすがの
どうやら
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