Japanese word

相

Pronunciation

Romajisō

Meaning

  • nounaspect

Example

物事にはいろいろな相があります。mono goto ni wa i ro i ro na sō ga a ri ma su

Things have many aspects.

Illustration for 相 (aspect)

More examples

その町は、季節ごとに違う相を呈します。so no machi wa ki setsu go to ni chiga u sō o tei shi ma su

The town presents a different aspect in each season.

Core concept

Describes one distinct side or visible character of a person, thing, or situation.

Common phrases

  • さまざまな相sa ma za ma na sō

    various aspects

  • 相を呈するsō o tei su ru

    present an aspect

  • 異なる相koto na ru sō

    different aspects

Similar words

面men: One recognizable side or feature of a person, thing, or situation, with a broad everyday use.
側面sokumen: A specific part of a subject that is considered separately from its other parts.
様相yōsō: The form or appearance that a situation or thing shows.

Definition in Japanese

物事をいくつかの面から見たときの、それぞれの特徴やありさま。mono goto o i ku tsu ka no men ka ra mi ta to ki no so re zo re no toku chō ya a ri sa ma

Word origin

相 (sō, "appearance; aspect") is a Sino-Japanese word based on the Chinese character 相, which carries the related senses of outward appearance and one side of a matter.

Usage tips

  • 相 (sō) is useful in discussions that organize a topic into categories, but 面 (men) is usually more natural in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • appearancenoun

Word lists with this word