Meaning

Primary

Figure

Alternatives

Appearance, Form

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.

姿 refers to the figure or appearance of something. You'll see it used to talk about the physical form or visible impression of a person or thing, like in 後ろ姿 (someone's figure from behind), がんばる姿 (the sight of someone working hard), or 昔の姿 (something's former appearance).

Reading

すがた
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it probably uses the kun'yomi reading. You did not learn this reading, so here's a mnemonic to help you to remember:

Who's that figure in the distance? Is that who you think it is? Is that the Sugar Taco (すがた) Man??? YES. You'd know that appearance anywhere. The Sugar Taco Man goes from town to town selling delicious sugary choco-tacos, and nothing makes your day like seeing his form appear on the horizon. Over here, Sugar Taco Man! Sell us some sugar tacos, please!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 姿を見る

    to see someone's figure, to see something's appearance

    姿を消す

    to disappear

    姿を見せる

    to show oneself

    姿を表す

    to reveal oneself

    姿を変える

    to change one's form, to transform

Context Sentences

アイツは、人間の姿をしたバンパイアで、夜になるとコウモリに姿を変えるんだ。

He is a vampire in human form who changes into a bat at night.

この町の昔の姿と現在の姿は大きく変わった。

This town has changed greatly from how it used to be to how it is now.

ニッコリと笑う母の姿が、今も私の頭に焼き付いている。

The image of my mother smiling is still burned into my mind.

お坊さんが「お金もうけは私にとっては価値のないことだ」と言っている姿に感動しました。

I was moved by the sight of the monk saying, "Making money has no value for me."

Kanji Composition