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B1 noun #600 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

～そうだ

~ sō da Top 600

At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to understand that Japanese has different ways to express information. While 'sou da' for hearsay is usually a B1 topic, A1 learners might encounter it in very simple set phrases or weather reports. At this stage, the focus is on recognizing that 'sou desu' at the end of a sentence might mean 'I heard that' rather than just 'it is.' A1 learners should focus on the most basic pattern: [Verb Dictionary Form] + sou desu. For example, 'Iku sou desu' (I heard they are going). They don't need to worry about the complex nuances yet, just the idea that Japanese has a specific way to say 'someone told me this.' It's about building awareness that not every sentence is a direct observation. Simple examples like 'Ame da sou desu' (I heard it's rain) are helpful for A1 students to see how 'da' is used with nouns. This level is about exposure and very basic imitation of the pattern in highly controlled contexts.

At the A2 level, students start to distinguish between 'sou da' (hearsay) and 'sou da' (conjecture/looks like). This is a critical milestone. A2 learners should practice using hearsay 'sou da' to report simple facts they've heard from friends or teachers. They learn that hearsay requires the plain form, while conjecture requires the stem form. For example, 'Oishii sou desu' (I heard it's delicious) vs 'Oishisou desu' (It looks delicious). A2 learners also begin to use simple source markers like 'Tanaka-san ga itte imashita ga...' (Mr. Tanaka was saying, but...) followed by 'sou desu.' They can use it to talk about their plans, the weather, or simple news about people they know. The focus here is on accuracy in conjugation—making sure they don't drop the 'i' in i-adjectives or forget the 'da' for nouns. It's about moving from simple imitation to intentional reporting of information in daily life.

B1 is the 'home' level for 'sou da' (hearsay). At this stage, learners are expected to use it fluently and accurately in a variety of contexts. They should be able to integrate source markers like '～によると' (according to) or '～の話では' (according to what [someone] said) seamlessly into their speech. B1 learners use 'sou da' to summarize news articles, explain rumors, and relay messages in a professional or semi-formal environment. They understand the difference between 'sou da' (objective hearsay) and 'rashii' (subjective hearsay/rumor). They also learn to conjugate the preceding clause into the past or negative forms correctly (e.g., 'Konakatta sou desu' - I heard they didn't come). This level requires a high degree of control over the plain form of Japanese. Learners at B1 should feel comfortable using 'sou da' to avoid taking personal responsibility for information that isn't theirs, which is a key cultural aspect of Japanese communication.

At the B2 level, learners use 'sou da' with more sophistication, often in written reports or formal presentations. They understand how it fits into the broader system of Japanese evidentiality (how we know what we know). B2 students can compare 'sou da' with more formal alternatives like '～とのことだ' or '～という話だ' and choose the appropriate one for the register. They might use it to discuss complex social issues or academic findings: 'Research shows that... (sou da).' They also become sensitive to how 'sou da' can be used to soften a statement or provide a polite distance. At this level, the focus shifts from 'how to form the sentence' to 'why choose this specific hearsay marker over others.' They can handle longer, more complex sentences preceding 'sou da,' including relative clauses and multiple adjectives, maintaining grammatical integrity throughout.

C1 learners use 'sou da' as part of a nuanced rhetorical strategy. They are aware of its historical roots and its presence in classical-style storytelling or formal journalism. They can use it to create a specific narrative voice, such as in a literary critique or a high-level business analysis. C1 students understand the subtle implications of using 'sou da' versus 'to no koto' in a professional email—where 'sou da' might feel slightly too direct or conversational compared to the more detached 'to no koto.' They also recognize 'sou da' in its 'sou na' form when used as an adjective-like modifier in literature (e.g., 'the supposedly-haunted house'). Their mastery is such that they can use hearsay markers to manipulate the 'certainty' of a statement for effect, such as expressing skepticism or highlighting the legendary nature of a claim.

At the C2 level, the use of 'sou da' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. The learner has a complete grasp of its placement within the vast array of Japanese reportative and conjectural forms. They can appreciate the use of 'sou da' in various dialects or archaic texts and understand how it has evolved. In professional or academic writing, a C2 learner knows exactly when 'sou da' provides the right balance of objectivity and readability. They can also identify when a speaker is using 'sou da' ironically or to subtly distance themselves from an unpopular opinion. Mastery at this level involves not just the grammar, but the deep cultural intuition of when to attribute information and when to state it as a known fact. They can navigate the most complex 'layers' of hearsay, such as 'I heard that he said that she heard...' using a mix of 'sou da,' 'tte,' and 'to no koto' without any loss of clarity.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

～そうだ in 30 Sekunden

Used to report information heard from others or media.
Attaches to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
Requires 'da' before 'sou da' for nouns and na-adjectives.
Essential for distinguishing between facts and hearsay in Japanese.

The Japanese expression ～そうだ (sou da) used for hearsay is a fundamental tool for intermediate learners (CEFR B1) to report information gathered from external sources. Unlike the 'conjecture' version of sou da which describes how something looks based on visual evidence, this hearsay version acts as a linguistic bridge, allowing the speaker to convey news, rumors, or facts they have heard or read without claiming direct personal knowledge. It is the equivalent of saying 'I heard that,' 'They say that,' or 'Apparently' in English. This grammatical structure is essential because Japanese culture places a high value on the source and certainty of information; using hearsay markers helps the speaker avoid sounding like they are stating a personal fact when they are actually just passing on information.

Grammatical Function: It functions as a reportative auxiliary that attaches to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns (with 'da').
Social Nuance: It provides a layer of distance between the speaker and the statement, which is polite and accurate when discussing third-party news.

天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうだ。
According to the weather forecast, I heard it will rain tomorrow.

In daily conversation, you will encounter this form frequently when people discuss the weather, celebrity news, office rumors, or information found on social media. It is often paired with phrases like ～によると (according to) or ～では (in/at) to specify the source. For example, 'According to the newspaper' (Shinbun ni yoru to) or 'In the news' (Nyūsu de wa). Using this structure shows that you are a responsible communicator who distinguishes between what you know for a fact and what you have merely heard from others. It is a key step in moving from basic Japanese to more nuanced, adult-level communication.

田中さんは来月結婚するそうです。
I heard that Mr. Tanaka is getting married next month.

The hearsay 'sou da' is also incredibly common in written Japanese, such as in news reports or biographies. In these contexts, it might appear in its more formal form, ～そうです, or even more formal variants like ～とのことだ. However, for the B1 level, mastering the standard ～そうだ and ～そうです is the priority. It allows you to participate in 'kuchikomi' (word-of-mouth) culture, which is huge in Japan. Whether you're talking about a new restaurant that is supposedly delicious or a movie that is said to be scary, this grammar point is your primary tool for sharing information that isn't yours to claim as direct experience.

Information Source: Usually implies a reliable or specific source, unlike 'rashii' which can be more vague or based on general atmosphere.

Using ～そうだ correctly requires a solid understanding of the 'plain form' (futsuu-kei) of Japanese words. The hearsay version of this grammar point is quite strict: it always follows the plain form of the preceding word. This is the primary way to distinguish it from the 'conjecture' (looks like) version, which uses different conjugation rules. Let's break down how to attach it to different parts of speech to ensure your sentences are grammatically sound and convey the intended 'I heard that' meaning.

With Verbs: Use the plain form (present, past, negative).
Example: 行くそうだ (I heard [someone] is going), 行ったそうだ (I heard [someone] went).

彼は日本へ行くそうだ。
I heard he is going to Japan.

When dealing with I-adjectives, you simply attach そうだ to the plain form. Unlike the conjecture form (where you drop the final 'i'), hearsay keeps the 'i'. For example, 'oishii' (delicious) becomes 'oishii sou da' (I heard it's delicious). If you said 'oishisou da', you would be saying 'it looks delicious,' which is a different grammar point entirely. This distinction is vital for B1 level proficiency.

With Na-Adjectives and Nouns: You must include the copula 'da' before 'sou da'.
Example: 綺麗だそうだ (I heard it's beautiful), 雨だそうだ (I heard it's rain).

あの人は親切だそうです。
I heard that person is kind.

Negative forms also follow the plain negative rules. For a verb like 'tabenai' (not eat), it becomes 'tabenai sou da' (I heard they don't eat). For a noun like 'yasumi' (holiday), it becomes 'yasumi ja nai sou da' (I heard it's not a holiday). The consistency of the plain form makes this grammar point logical once you have mastered basic conjugations. It is also important to note that ～そうだ itself can be conjugated into ～そうです for politeness, but it does not usually appear in the past tense as 'sou datta' for hearsay; instead, you would conjugate the verb *before* it into the past tense (e.g., 'itta sou da').

昨日は寒かったそうです。
I heard it was cold yesterday.

The hearsay ～そうだ is a staple of Japanese information exchange. You will encounter it in a variety of settings, ranging from formal news broadcasts to casual office chatter. Its primary role is to attribute information to a source, making it indispensable in any context where 'reporting' is involved. Understanding where and how it is used will help you recognize the level of certainty and the type of source being referenced.

News and Media: News anchors use '～そうです' or '～とのことです' to report on events. It sounds objective and professional. You'll see it in headlines and hear it in weather forecasts constantly.

新しい首相が決まったそうです。
I heard (on the news) that a new Prime Minister has been decided.

In the workplace, ～そうだ is used to relay messages from clients or other departments. If a colleague tells you, 'The meeting has been canceled,' and you want to tell your boss, you would say, 'Kaigi wa chuushi da sou desu.' This clarifies that you aren't the one who canceled the meeting; you are just the messenger. This distinction is crucial for maintaining proper hierarchy and responsibility in a Japanese office environment.

Social Media and Reviews: When reading Twitter (X) or restaurant reviews (like Tabelog), users often say 'This place is good, according to rumors' (Uwasa de wa oishii sou da). It's the language of the internet 'buzz'.

Finally, in storytelling and folklore, ～そうだ (or its literary variant ～そうな) is used to narrate events that the narrator did not witness personally. It gives the story a sense of tradition and 'legend.' For example, 'Long ago, there lived an old man, it is said...' (Mukashi mukashi, ojiisan ga ita sou da). This usage connects the listener to a shared cultural history where the 'truth' is passed down through generations rather than observed firsthand.

この村には昔、龍が住んでいたそうだ。
It is said that a dragon used to live in this village long ago.

The most common pitfall for learners is confusing the hearsay ～そうだ with the conjecture (visual appearance) ～そうだ. While they look identical at the end of a sentence, the grammar that precedes them is different, and the meanings are worlds apart. Mistaking one for the other can lead to significant misunderstandings in conversation.

Mistake 1: Dropping 'da' for Nouns/Na-Adjectives: Incorrect: 'Ame sou da' (I heard it's rain).
Correct: 'Ame da sou da'.
Without 'da', it sounds like 'it looks like rain' (conjecture), which is a different meaning.

❌ 彼は元気そうだ。 (He looks energetic.)
✅ 彼は元気だそうだ。 (I heard he is energetic.)

Another frequent error is with I-adjectives. For hearsay, you must keep the final 'i'. If you drop it, you are using the conjecture form. For example, 'Oishii sou da' means 'I heard it's good,' while 'Oishisou da' means 'It looks good.' If you are at a restaurant and say 'Oishii sou da' while looking at a plate of food, a Japanese person might think you are quoting a review rather than reacting to the food in front of you.

Mistake 2: Using the Past Tense of 'Sou da': Incorrect: 'Iku sou datta' (I heard he would go - past hearsay).
Correct: 'Itta sou da' (I heard he went).
Hearsay 'sou da' itself doesn't change to past tense; the verb before it does.

Lastly, learners often forget to specify the source of information. While not a grammatical 'error,' saying 'sou da' without any context can sometimes leave the listener wondering where the info came from. Using ～によると (according to) makes your Japanese sound much more sophisticated and clear. Also, be careful not to use 'sou da' for things you have seen with your own eyes; that is the domain of direct observation, not hearsay.

❌ (Seeing a cat sleeping) 猫は寝るそうだ。
✅ (Seeing a cat sleeping) 猫が寝ている。
✅ (Reading a book about cats) 猫は一日に14時間寝るそうだ。

Japanese has several ways to express hearsay, and choosing the right one depends on the source of your information and how certain you are about it. ～そうだ is the most standard and 'objective' hearsay marker, but you will often hear ～らしい, ～って, and ～ということだ. Understanding the nuances between these will elevate your B1 Japanese to the next level.

～らしい (Rashii): Used for information based on rumors or general impressions. It is less certain than 'sou da' and often implies the speaker is making an inference based on what they've heard or seen.
Example: 彼は忙しいらしい (Apparently he's busy - based on the vibe or hearsay).

Comparison:
1. 雨だそうだ (I heard it's raining - e.g., from the news).
2. 雨らしい (It seems it's raining - e.g., people are coming in with umbrellas).

In very casual conversation, ～って (tte) is the king of hearsay. It is a contraction of the quotation particle 'to' and the verb 'iu' (to say). It's extremely common among friends and family. For example, 'Ashita ame datte' (I heard it's rain tomorrow). It's much more informal than 'sou da' and should be avoided in business settings.

～ということだ (To iu koto da): This is a more formal and explanatory version of hearsay. It is often used in news reports or when summarizing a long piece of information. It literally means 'it is the case that...' or 'it means that...'.

Another alternative is ～と言われている (to iwarete iru), which means 'it is said that...' and is used for general public knowledge or long-standing beliefs. While ～そうだ is for specific pieces of news, ～と言われている is for things like 'Japanese food is healthy' or 'This temple was built in the 12th century.' Choosing between these depends on whether you are reporting a specific 'event' or a general 'fact' from hearsay.

納豆は体にいいと言われている。
It is said that natto is good for the body.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"報告書によれば、売上は好調だそうです。"

Neutral

"明日は雨が降るそうです。"

Informell

"あいつ、結婚するんだって。 (Using 'tte' as a variant of 'sou da')"

Child friendly

"明日は遠足だそうだよ！"

Umgangssprache

"マジであの店、ヤバいらしいよ。 (Using 'rashii' for slangy hearsay)"

Wusstest du?

The hearsay 'sou da' is actually more grammatically stable than the conjecture 'sou da' because it simply wraps around a complete sentence without changing the internal structure of the words it follows.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /soː da/

US /soʊ dɑ/

Flat pitch accent. In standard Japanese (Tokyo), 'sou' usually starts high and stays relatively flat, with 'da' dropping slightly.

Reimt sich auf

Mou da (Already is) Kou da (Is like this) Dou da (How is it) Nou da (Is the brain) Tou da (Is the tower) Hou da (Is the direction) Chou da (Is the butterfly) Jou da (Is the top)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'sou' as two separate syllables 'so-u'. It should be one long 'o'.
Stress on the 'da'. In Japanese, the end of the sentence is usually softer.
Confusing the pitch with 'sou' (conjecture), which can have subtle variations depending on the preceding word.
Making the 'd' in 'da' too heavy or aspirated.
Shortening the 'ou' sound too much.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize, but must be careful to check the preceding word's form.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires perfect knowledge of plain form conjugations and the 'da' rule.

Sprechen 4/5

Easy to use once the pattern is memorized, but often confused with conjecture.

Hören 3/5

Common in news and conversation; key to understanding the source of info.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

だ (Da) 言う (Iu) 聞く (Kiku) 天気 (Tenki) ニュース (Nyūsu)

Als Nächstes lernen

～らしい (Rashii) ～様だ (You da) ～みたいだ (Mitai da) ～とのことだ (To no koto da) ～ということだ (To iu koto da)

Fortgeschritten

伝聞 (Denbun) 証拠性 (Evidentiality) 引用 (Quotation) 助動詞 (Auxiliary verbs)

Wichtige Grammatik

Plain Form + そうだ (Hearsay)

行くそうだ (I heard they go).

Stem Form + そうだ (Conjecture)

行きそうだ (Looks like they will go).

Noun + だ + そうだ

休みだそうだ (I heard it's a holiday).

I-Adj + そうだ (Keep 'i')

寒いそうだ (I heard it's cold).

Na-Adj + だ + そうだ

暇だそうだ (I heard they are free).

Beispiele nach Niveau

明日は雨だそうです。

I heard it will rain tomorrow.

Noun + da + sou desu.

田中さんは学生だそうです。

I heard Mr. Tanaka is a student.

Noun + da + sou desu.

あの映画は面白いそうです。

I heard that movie is interesting.

I-adjective (plain form) + sou desu.

彼はパンを食べるそうです。

I heard he eats bread.

Verb (dictionary form) + sou desu.

ここは静かだそうです。

I heard it's quiet here.

Na-adjective + da + sou desu.

先生は来ないそうです。

I heard the teacher isn't coming.

Verb (negative plain form) + sou desu.

お祭りは明日だそうです。

I heard the festival is tomorrow.

Noun + da + sou desu.

日本は暑いそうです。

I heard Japan is hot.

I-adjective + sou desu.

天気予報によると、午後は晴れるそうです。

According to the weather forecast, I heard it will be sunny in the afternoon.

Source marker 'ni yoru to' + Verb + sou desu.

佐藤さんは昨日、忙しかったそうです。

I heard Ms. Sato was busy yesterday.

I-adjective (past plain form) + sou desu.

このレストランはあまり高くないそうです。

I heard this restaurant isn't very expensive.

I-adjective (negative plain form) + sou desu.

新しい駅ができたそうです。

I heard a new station was built.

Verb (past plain form) + sou desu.

山田さんはお酒を飲まないそうです。

I heard Mr. Yamada doesn't drink alcohol.

Verb (negative plain form) + sou desu.

そのニュースは本当だそうです。

I heard that news is true.

Na-adjective (honto) + da + sou desu.

彼女はもう帰ったそうです。

I heard she already went home.

Verb (past plain form) + sou desu.

明日は休みだそうです。

I heard tomorrow is a holiday.

Noun + da + sou desu.

ニュースでは、今年の冬はとても寒いそうです。

In the news, I heard this winter will be very cold.

Source marker 'de wa' + I-adjective + sou desu.

彼は子供の時、とてもわんぱくだったそうです。

I heard he was very naughty when he was a child.

Na-adjective (past plain form) + sou desu.

うわさでは、あの二人は別れたそうです。

According to rumors, those two broke up.

Source marker 'uwasa de wa' + Verb (past) + sou desu.

部長の話では、来週の会議は中止だそうです。

According to the manager, next week's meeting is canceled.

Source marker 'no hanashi de wa' + Noun + da + sou desu.

この本は、海外でも人気があるそうです。

I heard this book is popular abroad as well.

Verb phrase + sou desu.

彼は最近、あまり元気じゃないそうです。

I heard he hasn't been very well lately.

Na-adjective (negative plain form) + sou desu.

あの店は、日曜日は休みだそうです。

I heard that shop is closed on Sundays.

Noun + da + sou desu.

彼女はピアノがとても上手だそうです。

I heard she is very good at the piano.

Na-adjective + da + sou desu.

調査の結果によると、若者の読書離れが進んでいるそうです。

According to the survey results, I heard that young people are reading less and less.

Formal source marker + complex verb phrase + sou desu.

あの政治家は、次の選挙には出馬しない意向だそうです。

I heard that politician intends not to run in the next election.

Noun (ikou) + da + sou desu.

この地域は、昔は海だったそうです。

I heard this area used to be the sea in the past.

Noun (past) + da + sou desu.

新しい薬の開発には、まだ時間がかかるそうです。

I heard it will still take time to develop the new medicine.

Verb phrase + sou desu.

彼は大学を卒業した後、起業したそうです。

I heard he started his own business after graduating from university.

Verb (past) + sou desu.

今回のプロジェクトは、大成功だったそうです。

I heard this project was a huge success.

Noun (past) + da + sou desu.

彼女は来年から、イギリスに留学するそうです。

I heard she will study abroad in the UK starting next year.

Verb (dictionary form) + sou desu.

その計画は、予算の関係で白紙になったそうです。

I heard that plan was scrapped due to budget issues.

Verb (past) + sou desu.

古文書によれば、この城は一夜にして築かれたそうです。

According to ancient documents, it is said that this castle was built in a single night.

Formal source marker 'ni yoreba' + passive verb + sou da.

彼は若くして、その道の権威となったそうです。

I heard he became an authority in that field at a young age.

Verb (past) + sou da.

その村には、不老不死の薬があるという伝説があるそうです。

I heard there is a legend that an elixir of immortality exists in that village.

Noun clause + sou desu.

景気は緩やかに回復しつつあるそうです。

I heard the economy is gradually recovering.

Verb (continuous form) + sou desu.

彼は表舞台から姿を消した後、山奥で暮らしていたそうです。

I heard he lived deep in the mountains after disappearing from the public eye.

Verb (past continuous) + sou desu.

その技術は、数百年もの間、秘伝とされてきたそうです。

I heard that technology has been kept secret for hundreds of years.

Passive verb (perfect form) + sou desu.

彼女の家系は、代々医者の家柄だそうです。

I heard her family has been a line of doctors for generations.

Noun + da + sou desu.

その事件の真相は、未だに闇の中だそうです。

I heard the truth of that incident is still shrouded in mystery.

Noun phrase + da + sou desu.

伝承によれば、その神木を傷つけた者には祟りがあるそうです。

According to legend, it is said that a curse will fall upon anyone who harms that sacred tree.

Highly formal source marker + Noun + da + sou da.

その作家は、晩年を孤独のうちに過ごしたそうです。

I heard that author spent their final years in solitude.

Verb (past) + sou da.

彼の理論は、当時の科学界に大きな衝撃を与えたそうです。

I heard his theory sent shockwaves through the scientific community of that time.

Verb (past) + sou da.

その遺跡からは、未知の文明の痕跡が見つかったそうです。

I heard traces of an unknown civilization were found in those ruins.

Verb (past passive) + sou da.

彼女は一族の期待を背負って、若くして家督を継いだそうです。

I heard she inherited the family headship at a young age, carrying the weight of her clan's expectations.

Verb (past) + sou da.

その山には、今もなお人跡未踏の地が残されているそうです。

I heard that even now, there are still places in those mountains where no human has ever set foot.

Passive verb + sou da.

その政策の裏には、複雑な利害関係が絡み合っていたそうです。

I heard that behind that policy, complex interests were intertwined.

Verb (past continuous) + sou da.

その名刀は、かつて数多の戦場を渡り歩いてきたそうです。

I heard that famous sword has traveled through countless battlefields in the past.

Verb (perfect form) + sou da.

Häufige Kollokationen

天気予報によると〜そうだ

ニュースでは〜そうだ

噂では〜そうだ

〜の話では〜そうだ

新聞によると〜そうだ

聞いたところでは〜そうだ

〜という話だ

〜との話だ

〜だそうだね

〜らしいですよ

Häufige Phrasen

そうらしいね

〜だそうですよ

〜とのことです

〜という噂です

〜と聞いています

〜だそうだよ

〜だそうね

〜だそうですけど

〜だそうですが

〜だそうじゃない

Wird oft verwechselt mit

～そうだ vs ～そうだ (Conjecture)

Used for 'looks like' based on visual evidence. Uses stem form.

～そうだ vs ～らしい

Used for rumors or impressions. More subjective than 'sou da'.

～そうだ vs ～みたいだ

Used for comparisons or appearances. 'Looks like/Seems like'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"風の便りに聞く"

To hear something on the wind; to hear a rumor.

風の便りに、彼が結婚したと聞いたそうだ。

Literary

"小耳に挟む"

To overhear something; to catch a rumor.

彼が辞めるという話を小耳に挟んだそうだ。

Common

"噂をすれば影が差す"

Speak of the devil (and he shall appear).

噂をすれば影が差すというが、彼が来たそうだ。

Common

"人の口に戸は立てられぬ"

You can't stop people from gossiping.

人の口に戸は立てられぬというから、バレたそうだ。

Proverb

"尾ひれがつく"

To be exaggerated (of a rumor).

話に尾ひれがついて広まったそうだ。

Common

"根も葉もない"

Groundless; without any foundation (of a rumor).

それは根も葉もない噂だそうだ。

Common

"火のない所に煙は立たぬ"

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

火のない所に煙は立たぬというから、本当だそうだ。

Proverb

"耳を疑う"

To doubt one's ears; to be shocked by what one heard.

耳を疑うようなニュースを聞いたそうだ。

Common

"口の端に上る"

To be talked about; to be on everyone's lips.

彼の噂が口の端に上っているそうだ。

Idiomatic

"聞き捨てならない"

Cannot be ignored (of something heard).

それは聞き捨てならない話だそうだ。

Common

Leicht verwechselbar

～そうだ vs おいしそうだ

Looks identical to hearsay except for one letter.

Oishisou (no 'i') means 'looks delicious'. Oishii sou (with 'i') means 'I heard it's delicious'.

このケーキはおいしそうだ。 (This cake looks delicious.)

～そうだ vs 雨そうだ

Incorrect grammar for hearsay.

Ame sou da (conjecture - looks like rain). Ame da sou da (hearsay - I heard it's rain).

雨だそうだ。 (I heard it's rain.)

～そうだ vs 元気そうだ

Confusing conjecture and hearsay with na-adjectives.

Genki sou da (looks energetic). Genki da sou da (I heard he's energetic).

彼は元気だそうだ。 (I heard he's doing well.)

～そうだ vs 降るそうだ

Confusing verb forms.

Furu sou da (I heard it will rain). Furi sou da (It looks like it's about to rain).

雨が降るそうだ。 (I heard it will rain.)

～そうだ vs らしい

Both mean 'apparently'.

Sou da is for specific reports. Rashii is for general rumors or vibes.

彼は忙しいらしい。 (Apparently he's busy - based on hearsay or his behavior.)

Satzmuster

[Verb Dictionary Form] そうです。

明日、来るそうです。

[I-Adj Plain Form] そうです。

その本は面白いそうです。

[Noun] だそうです。

今日は休みだそうです。

～によると、～そうです。

ニュースによると、雨だそうです。

[Verb Past Form] そうです。

彼は昨日、帰ったそうです。

[Passive Verb] そうだ。

その話は嘘だと言われているそうだ。

～とのことだ。

明日は欠席とのことだ。

～という話だ。

彼はその道の天才だという話だ。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Japanese.

Häufige Fehler

Oishisou desu (for hearsay) → Oishii sou desu
Dropping the 'i' makes it 'looks delicious' (conjecture). Keep the 'i' for 'I heard it's delicious'.
Ame sou desu (for hearsay) → Ame da sou desu
Nouns must have 'da' before 'sou' for hearsay. Without it, it's conjecture or ungrammatical.
Iku sou deshita → Itta sou desu
Hearsay 'sou desu' doesn't have a past tense. Conjugate the verb before it instead.
Tabemashita sou desu → Tabeta sou desu
You must use the plain form (tabeta) before 'sou desu', not the polite form (tabemashita).
Kirei sou desu (for hearsay) → Kirei da sou desu
Na-adjectives need 'da' for hearsay. 'Kirei sou' means 'looks pretty'.

Tipps

The 'Da' Rule

Never forget 'da' for nouns and na-adjectives. 'Ame da sou da' is hearsay; 'Ame sou da' is conjecture. This is the #1 mistake for B1 students.

Source Markers

Use '～によると' (according to) to specify where you got the info. It makes your Japanese sound much more professional and clear.

Softening with 'Sou'

Using 'sou desu' is a great way to avoid sounding too bossy or certain when you aren't 100% sure of the facts.

Context Matters

If someone is reading a newspaper and says 'sou da', they are definitely reporting news. Context always helps distinguish hearsay from appearance.

Responsibility

In Japan, using hearsay markers shows you are a responsible speaker who doesn't spread rumors as absolute facts.

Plain Form Mastery

Mastering the plain form (dictionary, past, negative) is essential for using 'sou da' correctly. Practice your conjugations!

Hearsay vs. Conjecture

Remember: Hearsay = Plain Form. Conjecture = Stem Form. This simple rule will save you from many misunderstandings.

Gossip Etiquette

When gossiping, 'rashii' is often more common than 'sou da' because rumors are rarely 'objective' reports.

Watch the News

Japanese news is the best place to hear 'sou desu' used perfectly. Try to catch it in weather reports!

Megaphone Mnemonic

Imagine 'sou da' is a megaphone you use to repeat what someone else said. You are just the medium for the 'source'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'SOU' as 'Source'. When you use 'SOU da', you are citing a 'SOUrce' of information you heard from someone else.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person holding a megaphone (the source) and you standing next to them, repeating what they say into a smaller microphone (sou da).

Word Web

Hearsay News Rumors Plain Form According to Distance Reporting Communication

Herausforderung

Try to report three things you heard on the news today using '～そうです'. Make sure to use a verb, an i-adjective, and a noun.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the classical Japanese auxiliary 'sou' (相), which referred to appearance or aspect. Over time, it split into two distinct grammatical functions: conjecture (based on appearance) and hearsay (based on reported information).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Appearance, aspect, or 'the way things seem'.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful using 'sou da' for serious rumors about people, as it can sound like you are participating in gossip. In professional settings, 'to no koto desu' is safer.

English speakers often use 'apparently' or 'I heard,' but Japanese is much more consistent in requiring a grammatical marker for hearsay.

Japanese news broadcasts (NHK) constantly use '～そうです' for reporting. Traditional 'Rakugo' storytelling uses hearsay markers to set the scene. The opening of many folk tales: '...ita sou da' (It is said there was...).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Weather Forecasts

明日は晴れるそうです。
午後は雨だそうです。
台風が来るそうです。
暑くなるそうです。

Office Gossip

田中さんは辞めるそうです。
新しい部長は厳しいそうです。
ボーナスが出るそうです。
会議は中止だそうです。

Restaurant Reviews

あの店は美味しいそうです。
あそこは高いそうです。
いつも混んでいるそうです。
サービスがいいそうです。

News Reports

事件があったそうです。
首相が交代するそうです。
経済が良くなるそうです。
新しい法律ができるそうです。

Family News

おばあちゃんは元気だそうです。
いとこが合格したそうです。
旅行に行くそうです。
赤ちゃんが生まれたそうです。

Gesprächseinstiege

"ニュースで見たんだけど、明日は雪が降るそうだよ。"

"田中さんの話では、新しいプロジェクトが始まるそうですね。"

"あの新しいカフェ、コーヒーがすごく美味しいそうですよ。行ってみませんか？"

"噂によると、あの二人は来月結婚するそうですよ。知っていましたか？"

"天気予報によると、今年の夏は例年より暑くなるそうですね。"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、友達や同僚から聞いた面白いニュースを「〜そうだ」を使って書いてください。

最近読んだ本やニュース記事の内容を「〜そうだ」を使って要約してください。

あなたの国について、日本人が驚きそうな事実を「〜そうだ」を使って説明してください。

子供の頃、親や先生から聞いた「言い伝え」や「教え」を「〜そうだ」を使って書いてください。

将来の夢や計画について、周りの人がどう言っているかを「〜そうだ」を使って書いてください。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

'Sou da' is used when you have a specific source of information (like the news or a person) and you are reporting it objectively. 'Rashii' is more subjective and is used for rumors or when you are making an inference based on what you've heard or seen. For example, 'Ame da sou da' means you heard a weather report, while 'Ame rashii' means you heard a rumor or saw people with umbrellas.

No, 'sou da' (hearsay) is strictly for information you received from an external source. If you saw it yourself, you should use direct statements or 'mitai da' / 'you da' for appearances. Using 'sou da' for direct observation would sound like you are quoting someone else about what you are currently seeing.

You conjugate the verb or adjective *before* 'sou da' into the past tense. For example, 'I heard it was cold' is 'Samukatta sou desu.' You do not change 'sou desu' to 'sou deshita' for hearsay.

'Sou da' is the plain form. In polite conversation, you should use 'sou desu.' In very formal situations, like news reporting, you might hear 'sou de arimasu' or 'to no koto desu.'

In Japanese, hearsay 'sou da' attaches to the plain form. For nouns, the plain form is 'Noun + da'. If you omit 'da', it becomes the conjecture form (looks like), which has a different meaning or might even be ungrammatical depending on the noun.

Yes! Just use the plain negative form. 'I heard he isn't coming' is 'Konai sou desu.' 'I heard it's not a holiday' is 'Yasumi ja nai sou desu.'

'Tte' is the casual, spoken version of hearsay. It's short for 'to itte ita' or 'to iu koto da'. You can use it with friends instead of 'sou da' to sound more natural. 'Ashita ame datte' is the casual version of 'Ashita wa ame da sou da.'

Usually no. You don't 'hear' your own plans from someone else. However, you could use it if you are reporting what your doctor or boss told you to do: 'I heard (from the doctor) that I should rest' (Yasumu you ni to iu koto da / Yasunda hou ga ii sou da).

Yes, it is very common in newspapers, magazines, and books to report facts or stories. In formal writing, the plain 'sou da' is often used, while 'sou desu' is used in polite letters or essays.

Listen for the 'da' after nouns and na-adjectives, and the full dictionary form of verbs. 'Iku-sou' (conjecture) vs 'Iku-sou' (hearsay) sounds the same, but 'Iku' is the dictionary form, so you have to rely on context. However, for i-adjectives, 'Oishisou' (conjecture) vs 'Oishii-sou' (hearsay) is clearly different.