〜げ

About

げ is a suffix that attaches to to い/な-adjectives and some select verbs/nouns, and it turns them into a な-adjective.

～げ is used to make observations, most commonly about someone's emotional state, or the emotion with which they perform an action. It can also make observations regarding one's character or disposition.

～げ isn't commonly used to create observational statements about one's superiors.

Compared to other observational markers, ～げ is based on more subtle clues, and involves more of the speaker's subjective reasoning. This makes ～げ statements sound less sure than ～そう statements.

～げ is commonly used in casual/polite conversation, or in written, narrative-style texts, like novels.

～げ can only attach to certain types of adjectives, verbs, and nouns, and its use should be avoided when dealing with senses that involve a degree of some kind (e.g., taste, temperature).

E.g. そんな悲かなしげな顔かおしてどうしたの？ "Such a sad face, what's wrong?"

E.g. 楽たのしげな声こえが聞きこえるけど、何なにをやっているのかな。 "I hear some cheerful voices. I wonder what they're up to."

E.g. マイクは出来上できあがったピザを不安ふあんげな顔かおで見みつめている。 "Mike is staring at the finished pizza with an anxious look on his face."

E.g. そんな自信じしんなさげに言いわないで、もっと自信じしん持もって！ "Don't say it like you're unsure. Have more confidence!"

Summary

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  げ is a suffix

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  げ attaches to い/

  な-adjectives, and some select verbs/nouns

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  ～げ is used to make observations, and is based on the speaker's subjective reasoning