そうだ
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.
来月新しい店ができるそうだ。
I heard a new store will open next month.
Hearsay usage
彼は本当に努力したそうだ。
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.
雨が降りそうだ。
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
GRAMMATICAL DISTINCTION:
1. HEARSAY (〜そうだ):
- Attaches to plain form: 行くそうだ, 高いそうだ, 静かだそうだ
- Meaning: "I heard that..."
- Source: Information from others
2. APPEARANCE (〜そうだ):
- Attaches to stem: 行きそうだ, 高そうだ, 静かそうだ
- Meaning: "It looks like..."
- Source: Speaker's own observation
CONJUGATION:
- Negative: 〜そうではない / 〜そうじゃない
- Past: 〜そうだった
NOTE: Pay attention to what そうだ attaches to - this determines the meaning completely.