斜はす

は

す

JLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

Used as a noun or no-adjective to describe something positioned diagonally. Often appears in set phrases like 斜に構える (to adopt a defiant or ironic attitude). The reading はす is more common in everyday use, while しゃ is mainly used in compounds.

Usage patterns

斜はすに構かまえるto adopt a cynical or defiant attitude
彼かれはいつも斜はすに構かまえた態たい度どで話はなす。
He always talks with a cynical, defiant attitude.
〈物もの〉を斜はすに切きるto cut something diagonally
布ぬのを斜はすに切きってから縫ぬい合あわせた。
I cut the cloth diagonally before sewing it together.
〈物もの〉を斜はすに置おくto place something at a diagonal angle
机つくえを壁かべに対たいして斜はすに置おいた。
I placed the desk at an angle to the wall.

Kanji

斜diagonal, slanting, oblique

Related words

斜ななめN3
斜め is the everyday word for 'diagonal' or 'slanting', while 斜 (はす) is a less common, more literary or fixed-expression form with the same meaning.

Don't confuse with

斜ななめN3
斜 (はす) is an older, more literary word for diagonal that shares a kanji with 斜め but is rarely used in ordinary conversation.

Word family

はすかい
diagonal; aslant; oblique
斜はす歯ば歯は車ぐるま
helical gear

Written forms

斜Usage100%
- はす
  Standard kanji spelling for the reading はす, meaning 'diagonal'.
- しゃ
しゃ

Etymology

The kanji 斜 means 'diagonal' or 'slanting'. The reading はす is a native Japanese reading (kun'yomi), while しゃ is the Sino-Japanese reading (on'yomi). The exact derivation of はす is uncertain, but it is related to the idea of being askew or not straight.