Forms and appearances with 様
様 is most commonly used as a ‘honorific’ (〜さま) appended to names of people or organizations to express respect. It also conveys meanings such as “appearance or condition” and “method or type” of an object.
Etymology
This kanji is the simplified form of 樣. The older character connects with 木 (tree) plus a phonetic element in the 羊 series, with an early sense tied to shape or pattern.
Appearance
様子 (State)
様子 refers to the situation, condition, or atmosphere of something as perceived from the outside, as well as a person’s attitude or demeanor. It is used to describe “what is currently happening” with regard to people, objects, or events.
It combines 様 (appearance) with 子 (aspect) to show the way something looks.
As she models for a sketch, Lulu recalls seeing Hideki blowing flower petals into the air. She brings it up to him.
- 秀樹:
- 「花弁が舞う様子を検察していたんだ」
- “I was observing the petals as they danced.”
- 「観察を重ねた先に独自の解釈や表現が生まれる」
- “Through repeated observation, unique interpretations and expressions emerge.”
- “I was observing the petals as they danced.”
模様 (Pattern)
模様 primarily has three meanings: (1) patterns or designs on the surface of an object, (2) the state or condition of a situation, and (3) a situation that is likely to occur in the future (speculation).
It combines 模 (form) with 様 (appearance) to show the way a form appears.
Chino explains the steps to perform coffee fortune telling.
- チノ:
- 「飲み終わった後に残ったコーヒーの模様で占うんです」
- “After you've finished drinking it, we tell fortunes from the patterns left in the coffee.”
- Step:
- 「① 飲みおわる」
- “① Finish drinking”
In Chino’s dialogue, 終わる is used because finishing a drink is the normal completion of the action of drinking.
異様 (Strangeness)
異様 describes something that is different from the norm and unusual, or a state that feels out of the ordinary and somewhat unsettling or strange.
It combines 異 (strange) with 様 (appearance) to show a strange appearance or manner.
Shin’ichi reveals the details of a murder. The culprit asks how Shin’ichi discovered the hidden weapon, and he explains it was due to a specific movement the culprit made.
- 新一:
- 「見逃しやすい細かな点こそ何よりも重要なんです…」
- “It's precisely those subtle details that are easy to overlook that matter most of all...”
- 「あの時のあなたの何気ない仕草が…」
- “That casual gesture of yours back then...”
- 「僕の目には異様な行動として焼きついてただけの事ですよ…」
- “It's just that it was etched in my mind as strange behavior...”
- “It's precisely those subtle details that are easy to overlook that matter most of all...”
Honorific Address
お嬢様 (Young lady)
お嬢様 is a term of respect primarily used for the daughters of wealthy families. By extension, it can also refer to women who are sheltered and have little experience of the outside world.
It combines 嬢 (young lady) with 様 (honorific form) to show a young lady spoken of with respect.
Chiya says it must be boring attending an elite school simply because they’re covering one’s tuition.
- 千夜:
- 「私だったら周りがお嬢様だらけで気を遣って疲れちゃう」
- “If it were me, I'd get tired of surroundings filled with rich girls and having to act proper.”
奥様 (Madam)
奥様 is a term of respect primarily used to refer to another person’s wife. It is also used to address a female head of a household or the proprietress of a shop or store. In more casual contexts, the term 奥さん is used, and 奥様 is not used to refer to one’s own wife.
It combines 奥 (inner part) with 様 (honorific form) to show a lady of the inner household addressed respectfully.
A customer asks Akari to stop the gondola as she sees a house with a fantastic flower garden. The customer asks if it’s a special place, to which Alicia explains it’s an ordinary house. She says the flower bed and gardening are a barometer to measure the caliber of the woman of the household.
- アリシア:
- 「ネオ・ヴェネツィアの街中は残念ながら自然の緑が少ないですから」
- “Since there's regrettably little natural greenery in the city of Neo-Venezia...”
- 「きっと奥様方もがんばり甲斐があるんでしょうね」
- “...surely the housewives also find it worth the effort.”
- “Since there's regrettably little natural greenery in the city of Neo-Venezia...”
Honorifit Address
客様 (Honored guest)
客様 is a term used to address people who purchase or use products and services, as well as invited guests, with respect.
It combines 客 (guest) with 様 (honorific) to show a respected guest.
Akatsuki asks Akari for a gondola ride to his destination. Along the way, he asks whether he’ll make his deadline. Akari suggests Alicia should take over, but Akatsuki says he’s Akari’s customer (and paying the cheaper fare). Realizing her responsibility, Akari turns the gondola around so she can use her high-speed backward rowing. Alicia apologizes to Akatsuki for the turnaround.
- アリシア:
- 「今からお客様の視界を遮る漕ぎ方をさせてもらいます」
- “From now on, she'll be using a rowing technique that blocks your view.”
- 暁:
- 「むぅ？」
- “Mm?”