also: しかる
pre-noun adjectival
a certain; a particular
Only with reading さる
Pre-noun adjectival (rentaishi) meaning 'a certain' or 'a particular', used to refer to something specific but not named. Restricted to the reading さる. Usually written in kana.
He quit the company for certain (unspecified) reasons.
According to information from a certain source, the meeting has been postponed.
pre-noun adjectival
such a; that kind of
Pre-noun adjectival (rentaishi) meaning 'such a' or 'that kind of'. The reading しかる is archaic and rarely used in modern Japanese; さる is the common reading for this sense as well.
Due to certain circumstances, he was absent.
According to information from a certain person, the plan was changed.
The meeting was held at a certain place.
Kanji form is rare; the word is usually written in kana. Included for recognition in older texts.
Standard modern spelling for the reading さる, used as a pre-noun adjectival.
Archaic reading; may appear in classical or highly formal contexts. Not used in modern Japanese.
Derived from the classical Japanese verb 然り (さり), meaning 'to be so'. The pre-noun adjectival form さる developed from the attributive form of さり. The reading しかる is the attributive form of the classical verb 然り (しかり), which is now archaic.