そうです
そうです
expression
I hear that, it seems that; that's right
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.
明日は雨だそうです。
I hear it will rain tomorrow.
彼は来ないそうです。
I hear he's not coming.
高いそうです。
I hear it's expensive.
元気だそうです。
I hear they're doing well.
結婚したそうです。
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.
雨が降りそうです。
It looks like it's going to rain.
難しそうです。
It looks difficult.
元気そうですね。
You look well.
壊れそうです。
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."
「日本人ですか。」「そうです。」
"Are you Japanese?" "Yes, I am."
確かにそうです。
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 ~"
- Verb: 行くそうです (I hear they'll go)
- い-adj: 高いそうです (I hear it's expensive)
- な-adj: 静かだそうです (I hear it's quiet)
- Noun: 学生だそうです (I hear they're a student)
【APPEARANCE そうです】
Stem + そうです = "It looks/seems ~"
- Verb stem: 降りそうです (it looks like it'll rain)
- い-adj stem: おいしそう (looks delicious)
- な-adj stem: 元気そう (looks healthy)
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