流石

Chinese

Pronunciation

Noun

流石

1. flowstone

Japanese

Alternative forms

• さすがに (sasugani)

Etymology

From さすがに (sasugani) with omission of the final に (ni).

The term さすがに (sasugani) is a composition of

• 然(さ) (sa, “in this way, thus”, modern そう (sō))
• 爲(す) (su, “to do”, modern する (suru))
• がに (ga ni, adverbial suffix, modern に (ni))

The literal meaning was "by doing something in this way, because of acting in this way".

The kanji are jukujikun (熟字訓).

The standalone term without the final に (ni) is first cited to the late 800s.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) さすが (Heiban – )
• IPA^(key):

Adjective

流石(さすが) • (sasuga) -na (adnominal 流石(さすが)な (sasuga na), adverbial 流石(さすが)に (sasuga ni))

1. as one would expect
   1. Used to describe actions.

      流石(さすが)に無理(むり)

      sasuga ni muri

      (obviously) something one cannot do

      流石(さすが)に疲(つか)れてきた

      sasuga ni tsukaretekita

      (naturally) tired

   2. Used to praise (or satirically criticize).

      流石(さすが)の腕前(うでまえ)を披露(ひろ)する

      sasuga no udemae o hiro suru

      to exhibit skill (of course)

      流石(さすが)です、会長(かいちょう)！

      Sasuga desu, kaichō!

      Brilliant as always, leader!

Usage notes

This term is often spelled in hiragana.

Adverb

流石(さすが) • (sasuga) 

1. even so, nevertheless, with that said
2. (chiefly with の) even, as ... as it is

Synonyms

• (even so): そうは言(い)うものの (sō wa iu mono no)

References