Meaning of 様(ざま) in Japanese

Japanese word definition and usage

Reading and JLPT level 様, 態

Kana Reading ざま

Romaji zama

Parts of speech

noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

Meaning

mess; sorry state; plight; sad sight
Parts of speech

suffix

Meaning

way; manner

Example Sentences

様, 態, ざま used in context

そこで私たち(わたしたち)(わたしたち)を待っている幸福(こうふく)(こうふく)が、私たち(わたしたち)(わたしたち)が望む(のぞむ)ような(ざま)幸福(こうふく)(こうふく)ではない(だ)かもしれない。

It may be that the happiness awaiting us is not at all the sort of happiness we would want.
もし電気(でんき)がないと、私たち(わたしたち)の暮らし(くらし)がどのような(ざま)ものになるか想像(そうぞう)できます(できる)か。

Can you imagine what our lives would be like without electricity?
惰性(だせい)に身を任せている(みをまかせる)がために今(いま)のような(ざま)現在(げんざい)があるんですね。

I've ended up in my present state from having indulged myself.
英日(えいにち)(えいにち)の翻訳(ほんやく)(ほんやく)(ほんやく)と日英(にちえい)の翻訳(ほんやく)(ほんやく)(ほんやく)では、英日(えいにち)(えいにち)の翻訳(ほんやく)(ほんやく)(ほんやく)を希望(きぼう)する人(じん)のほう(かた)が多い(おおい)よう(ざま)です。

Between E->J translations and J->E, it appears that more people want English-Japanese translations.
占星学(せんせいがく)(せんせいがく)は科学的な(かがくてき)根拠(こんきょ)もないのに、とても人(じん)気(にんき)があって(ある)、占星学(せんせいがく)(せんせいがく)は信じている(しんじる)人(じん)が多い(おおい)よう(ざま)です。

Although astrology has no scientific basis, it's very popular and it seems that many people believe in it.
「何名(な)(なんめい)様(ざま)ですか」「３名(な)です」

For how many? "Three."

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Related Kanji

Kanji found in this word

様 JLPT 3

Esq., way, manner, situation, polite suffix

On: ヨウ, ショウ

Kun: さま, さん

14 strokes

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態 JLPT 1

attitude, condition, figure, appearance, voice (of verbs)

On: タイ

Kun: わざ.と

14 strokes

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