If you’ve been studying Japanese, you’ve probably come across 〜そうです. But did you know there are actually two very different ways to use it?

Let’s break them down clearly so you can sound more natural and avoid confusion!

１. Expressing Appearance or Impressions

This 〜そうです is used to describe how something looks or seems, based on what you see or feel.

Structure:

• i-adjective (remove い) + そうです
• na-adjective + そうです
• Verb stem + そうです

Examples:

• このケーキはおいしそうです。 This cake looks delicious.
• あの人ひとは元気げんきそうです。 That person seems energetic.
• 雨あめが降ふりそうです。 It looks like it’s going to rain.

✅ You’re giving your own impression based on what you see or feel.

２. Expressing Hearsay (“I heard that…”)

This 〜そうです is used when you heard something from someone else. It’s often used in both conversation and writing.

Structure:

• Plain form of verb, i-adjective, or na-adjective + そうです
• Noun + だ + そうです

Examples:

• 田中たなかさんは今日来きょうこないそうです。 I heard that Tanaka-san won’t come today.
• 明日あしたは寒さむいそうです。 I heard it will be cold tomorrow.
• あの店みせは人気にんきだそうです。 I heard that shop is popular.

✅ You’re sharing information you heard, not your own impression.

Key Differences

Be careful! Saying おいしいそう is incorrect. Say おいしいらしい instead when reporting someone’s opinion or common info.

Practice Time!

Can you guess which そうです is being used?

1. 彼かれはさびしそうです。
2. 彼かれはさびしいそうです。

Understanding these two types of 〜そうです will help you express yourself more clearly and naturally in Japanese. Keep practicing and listening to real examples — you’ll get the hang of it fast!

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