流石 – Speak like a Japanese Native, The 3 ways to use Sasuga

There are 3 ways to use 流石さすが . First, for emphasizing something you expected. Second, smoothing out a contradiction and third stating that even for the best of the best something was too much.

Just as I expected, Sasuga for Emphasizing

The first and most common way to use 流石 is for emphasizing your expectations. When you use 流石 in these situations it will translate as just as I expected, as one would expect, or as you may assume.

流石さすがに我わが息子むすこだ
That is just as I expected for my son

勉強べんきょうしていないので、流石にテストは無理むりでした
(I) didn’t study so as expected the test was impossible

朝あさはあれほど食たべたから流石に昼ひるは何なにも食べられなかった
In the morning I ate so much as may be assumed I was not able to eat in the afternoon. 

That may be true but…Smoothing out a Contradiction

The second way to use 流石 is for reconciling two things that seem to contradict. When you use 流石 like this it is hard to pick an exact word to translate it.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/
You could use definitely or of course but there is not an exact translation. In this case, it is more of a word used to connect the last phrase to the next phrase. Take a look at the examples below:

今朝けさあれほど大量たいりょうに食べても、流石にたこ焼やきなら食べられそうだ
Even though I ate so much this morning, of course if there is takoyaki then I bet I could still eat

いくら眠ねむくても、流石にあのゲームが発売はつばいされる日ひは早はやく起おきるさ
No matter how tired I am, definitely when that game comes out I will get up early

Even for The best of the best, this is too much

Finally, the last way to use 流石 is when you want to say that something is so great that it is even too much for the best. So for example, if you know someone that is really good at video games but there is just one game that they are unable to complete. 

In this case, 流石 is used followed by の and a noun followed by も.   The closest translation would be even for.

さすがの“Noun”も

さすがのプロゲーマーもこのステージは無理むりだな
Even fora pro-gamer, this level is impossible. 

If you want to learn more Japanese I reviewed a dictionary of grammar series which I personally recommend and use myself.

Resources

• 流石