Japanese word

様相

Pronunciation

Romajiyōsō

Meaning

  • nounaspect

Example

問題の様相が少しずつ変わっています。mon dai no yō sō ga suko shi zu tsu ka wa tte i ma su

The problem is gradually taking on a different aspect.

Illustration for 様相 (aspect)

More examples

交渉が始まると、会議の様相は一変しました。kō shō ga haji ma ru to kai gi no yō sō wa ip pen shi ma shi ta

Once the negotiations began, the meeting took on a completely different aspect.

Core concept

Describes the way something appears or exists at a particular stage, especially as it changes over time.

Common phrases

  • 様相を呈するyō sō o tei su ru

    present an aspect

  • 様相が一変するyō sō ga ip pen su ru

    change completely

  • 様相を異にするyō sō o i ni su ru

    differ in aspect

Similar words

様子yōsu: The state or appearance of a person, thing, or event as it can be observed.
状況jōkyō: The conditions surrounding a person, event, or activity at a given time.
情勢jōsei: The overall state of affairs in a society, field, or developing situation.
局面kyokumen: A particular stage or phase in the development of an event or situation.

Definition in Japanese

物事のありさまや状態、また、その変化の過程における一つの段階。mono goto no a ri sa ma ya jō tai ma ta so no hen ka no ka tei ni o ke ru hito tsu no dan kai

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 様相 (yōsō) combines 様 (yō, "appearance") and 相 (sō, "aspect"), giving the sense of a state or aspect.

Usage tips

  • In English, aspect can also refer to the way an action is viewed in time, as in the contrast between completed and ongoing actions, while 様相 (yōsō) normally refers to a thing's state or phase.

Other meanings

  • conditionnoun
  • phasenoun

Related words

  • 様相化yōsōkaaspectualizationnoun

Word lists with this word