1A word said to prompt or urge someone into action ("Come on," "Come along").
さあ、みんな集まって。写真を撮ろう。
Come on everyone, gather round. Let's take a photo.
さあ、遅れるよ。早く準備して。
Come on, we'll be late. Get ready quickly.
さあ、遠慮しないで食べてください。
Come on, don't be shy, please eat.
2A word said when steeling oneself or getting ready to begin something ("All right," "Here goes").
さあ、今日から新しい生活を始めよう。
All right, let's start a new life from today.
さあ、いよいよ本番だ。頑張ろう。
All right, this is finally the real thing. Let's do our best.
さあ、行くぞ。準備はいいか。
All right, here we go. Are you ready?
3A word said when unsure how to respond, expressing hesitation or uncertainty ("Well," "Hmm," "I'm not sure").
「明日は来られますか」「さあ、まだ分かりません」
"Can you come tomorrow?" "Well, I'm not sure yet."
さあ、それについては何も聞いていません。
Hmm, I haven't heard anything about that.
「彼は来るかな」「さあ、どうだろう」
"I wonder if he'll come." "Hmm, who knows."
4A word said when something arrives, begins, or is finished ("Here," "There we go").
さあ、お待たせしました。料理ができましたよ。
There we go, sorry to keep you waiting. The food is ready.
さあ、バスが来た。急いで乗ろう。
Here it comes, the bus is here. Let's hurry and get on.
さあ、これで作業は全部終わりだ。
There, that's it, the work is all finished now.
5A word used to change the topic or introduce a new point, often when interrupting ("About that," "Actually").
さあ、その話はもう終わったことにしよう。
Well, let's just consider that matter closed.
さあ、それより次の予定を決めよう。
Actually, let's decide on our next plan instead.