超サイヤ人
sūpā saiyajin
The English phrase "super saiyan" is translated into Japanese as 超サイヤ人 (sūpā saiyajin).
This phrase refers to the powerful transformed state of a warrior within the Dragon Ball media series.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the prefix 超, which means "super", "ultra" or "hyper".
How do you pronounce it?
sūpā saiyajin
Did you know?
- The word サイヤ人 is a play on the word 野菜 meaning 'vegetable'. This is why almost every member of the Saiyan race has a name based on a plant, such as 'Kakarot' for carrot and 'Vegeta' for vegetable.
- In Japanese, the word 超 can be used as an informal adverb meaning 'very' or 'extremely' in daily conversation. A teenager might use the same character as 'super saiyan' to describe a 'super' tasty snack.
- The phrase is written using a mix of kanji for the prefix and the person, but katakana for the core subject, creating a visual hybrid that marks it specifically as 'modern sci-fi' terminology.
Examples in context
- 彼は超サイヤ人に変身した。Kare wa chō saiyajin ni henshin shita.He transformed into a super saiyan.
- 超サイヤ人の力はすごい。Chō saiyajin no chikara wa sugoi.The power of a super saiyan is amazing.
- 超サイヤ人の姿になりたい。Chō saiyajin no sugata ni naritai.I want to become a super saiyan.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about their favorite anime characters.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮、一番好きなキャラクターは誰？Ren, ichiban sukina kyarakutā wa dare?Ren, who is your favorite character?
- 蓮 Renやっぱり超サイヤ人の悟空がかっこいいよ。Yappari Chō Saiyajin no Gokū ga kakkoii yo.As expected, Super Saiyan Goku is the coolest.
- 美咲 Misaki確かに、あの姿はすごいよね。Tashikani, ano sugata wa sugoi yo ne.True, that form is amazing.
- 蓮 Ren強すぎて最強だと思う。Tsuyosugite saikyō da to omou.I think he's the strongest because he's too powerful.
