そうです

そうです
expression
I hear that, it seems that; that's right
politegrammaticalexpression
1. I hear that, they say that (hearsay)
Grammar pattern expressing information heard from another source. Attached to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns + だ. Indicates reported information.
明日(あした)は雨(あめ)だそうです。
I hear it will rain tomorrow.
彼(かれ)は来(こ)ないそうです。
I hear he's not coming.
高(たか)いそうです。
I hear it's expensive.
元気(げんき)だそうです。
I hear they're doing well.
結婚(けっこん)したそうです。
I hear they got married.
2. it seems, it looks like (appearance)
Grammar pattern expressing judgment based on appearance or immediate observation. Attached to verb stems or adjective stems (without い or な).
このケーキはおいしそうです。
This cake looks delicious.
雨(あめ)が降(ふ)りそうです。
It looks like it's going to rain.
難(むずか)しそうです。
It looks difficult.
元気(げんき)そうですね。
You look well.
壊(こわ)れそうです。
It looks like it's going to break.
3. that's right, yes
Simple affirmative response meaning 'that's correct' or 'yes.'
「田中(たなか)さんですか。」「はい、そうです。」
"Are you Tanaka-san?" "Yes, that's right."
「これですか。」「そうです。」
"Is it this one?" "Yes, that's right."
「日本人(にほんじん)ですか。」「そうです。」
"Are you Japanese?" "Yes, I am."
確(たし)かにそうです。
That's certainly true.
まさにそうです。
That's exactly right.

Two different patterns

【HEARSAY そうです】
Plain form + そうです = "I heard that ~"

【APPEARANCE そうです】
Stem + そうです = "It looks/seems ~"

Exception: いい → よさそう (looks good), ない → なさそう (doesn't seem like)

Negative forms

  • Hearsay: 〜ないそうです
  • Appearance: 〜そうにない / 〜そうもない

Related Words

Compare: らしい (hearsay/conjecture)
Compare: ようだ (appearance/conjecture)
Compare: その通(とお)り (exactly)
core
Added 2026.1.11 21:36 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
03000/03098_soudesu