そうだ

auxiliary

I heard that, it seems

1. I heard that, they say that

Expresses hearsay - information the speaker learned from another source. Attaches to the plain form of verbs/adjectives.

I heard a new store will open next month.

Hearsay usage

I heard he really worked hard.

Hearsay usage

2. it looks like, it seems

Expresses appearance or conjecture based on direct observation. Attaches to the verb stem or adjective stem.

It looks like it's going to rain.

Appearance usage - verb stem + そうだ

このケーキはおいしそうだ。

This cake looks delicious.

Appearance usage - adjective stem + そうだ

USAGE (Sense 1):

USAGE (Sense 2):

Negative (hearsay): negate the verb or adjective before そうだ: 行(い)かないそうだ
Negative (appearance): verbs take 〜そうにない or 〜そうもない (降(ふ)りそうにない); adjectives take 〜なさそうだ (高(たか)くなさそうだ)
Past: 〜そうだった
Appearance with いい and ない: よさそうだ, なさそうだ (not いさそう, なそう)
Hearsay after a noun or na-adjective keeps だ: 学生(がくせい)だそうだ

Note: Pay attention to what そうだ attaches to - this determines the meaning completely.

Related Words

Compare: ようだ (it seems)

Compare: みたいだ (it seems)

Compare: そうや (that's right)

general

Added 2026.2.5 11:14 · Revised 2026.10.13 22:52

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