Understanding the Meaning of Sou Desu
The phrase sou desu in Japanese can have several meanings depending on the context. It can mean “It looks like…”, “I hear that…”, or “I have heard that…”. When used for hearsay, sou desu allows you to report information that you did not witness or experience firsthand, but have learned from another source.
Hearsay vs. Appearance: The Two Uses of Sou Desu
It’s important to distinguish between the two main uses of sou desu:
- Appearance (そうです): Used to express your impression based on what you see or sense directly. For example, “Oishisou desu” (It looks delicious).
- Hearsay (そうです): Used to report what you have heard from others. For example, “Oishii sou desu” (I heard it is delicious).
This article focuses on the hearsay function.
How to Form Sou Desu for Hearsay
When using sou desu for hearsay, you attach it to the plain form (dictionary form) of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Here’s how:
Verbs
Attach sou desu to the plain form of the verb.
- 行く (iku) → 行くそうです (iku sou desu) → I heard (they) are going.
- 始まる (hajimaru) → 始まるそうです (hajimaru sou desu) → I heard (it) will start.
I-adjectives
Attach sou desu to the plain form of the i-adjective.
- 高い (takai) → 高いそうです (takai sou desu) → I heard (it) is expensive.
- 寒い (samui) → 寒いそうです (samui sou desu) → I heard (it) is cold.
Na-adjectives
Attach sou desu to the plain form of the na-adjective (without the な).
- 静か (shizuka) → 静かだそうです (shizuka da sou desu) → I heard (it) is quiet.
- 有名 (yuumei) → 有名だそうです (yuumei da sou desu) → I heard (it) is famous.
Nouns
Attach sou desu to the noun plus da.
- 先生 (sensei) → 先生だそうです (sensei da sou desu) → I heard (he/she) is a teacher.
- 雨 (ame) → 雨だそうです (ame da sou desu) → I heard it is going to rain.
Example Sentences with Sou Desu for Hearsay
- 明日、雪が降るそうです。
Ashita, yuki ga furu sou desu.
I heard it will snow tomorrow. - このレストランは美味しいそうです。
Kono resutoran wa oishii sou desu.
I heard this restaurant is delicious. - 田中さんは結婚したそうです。
Tanaka-san wa kekkon shita sou desu.
I heard Mr./Ms. Tanaka got married.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not confuse the appearance use of sou desu (based on observation) with the hearsay use (based on what you heard).
- When reporting hearsay, always use the plain form of the verb, adjective, or noun plus da for na-adjectives and nouns.
- Do not use the stem form of adjectives or verbs, as you would when expressing appearance (e.g., “oishisou desu” for “looks delicious”).
Tips for Practicing Sou Desu for Hearsay
- Listen for sou desu in Japanese news, TV shows, and conversations to get a feel for its usage.
- Practice forming sentences about things you have heard from others, using different verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to get interactive feedback and immerse yourself in real-life scenarios.
Conclusion
Mastering the sou desu structure for hearsay is a key step in sounding natural and fluent in Japanese. Remember to use the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns, and practice distinguishing between hearsay and appearance. With consistent practice and exposure, especially through resources like Talkpal’s AI-powered language learning tools, you’ll soon be able to report information like a native speaker. Keep practicing, and your Japanese communication skills will continue to grow!
