〜そうです

I heard...; It seems...; Looks like...

1. Overview

「〜そうです」 is a commonly used expression in Japanese that indicates hearsay, something heard, or a conjecture about the state or condition of something. It is often used to quote what someone else has said or to describe a possibility.

2. Structure

3. Usage Explanation

• Connection:

  • 「〜そうです」 is formed by combining the relevant form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns with 「そうです」 to convey information from others or to make a conjecture about something.

• Usage:

  • This grammar is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to quote what others have said or express a guess about a situation.

• Chinese Translation:

  • Typically translated as “I heard...”, “It seems...”, or “Looks like...”.

4. Example Sentences

1. 明日は雨が降るそうです。
   (I heard it will rain tomorrow.)

2. 彼は新しい仕事を始めるそうです。
   (I heard he will start a new job.)

3. この料理はおいしいそうです。
   (I heard this dish is delicious.)

4. 彼女は元気そうです。
   (She looks energetic.)

5. 駅はすぐそこにあるそうです。
   (I heard the station is just over there.)

5. Similar Grammar

• 〜らしい: Indicates a situation based on certain information, often in a more formal tone.

  • Example: 彼は来ないらしい (I heard he won't come).

• 〜みたいです: Used to express conjecture or appearance more casually, typically in spoken language.

  • Example: 彼女は学生みたいです (She looks like a student).

6. Points to Note

• Source of Information:

  • When using 「〜そうです」, it’s important to clarify the source of the information to avoid misleading the listener.

• Tone:

  • Depending on the sentence and context, 「〜そうです」 can convey varying degrees of certainty or uncertainty.

7. Summary

「〜そうです」 is a useful grammar structure for expressing hearsay and conjecture, applicable in various contexts, especially when quoting information from others.