Introduction
In this blog, we will learn how to use -そうです (soudesu) to report information you’ve heard from someone else. This expression is very helpful when you want to share something that was told to you. Let’s take a look at how it works in simple terms.
What It Means
The phrase -そうです (soudesu) means “I hear” or “I’ve heard.” You use this when reporting information from another person. Be careful not to confuse it with the other そうです, which means “it looks like…”
When You Use It
You use -そうです (soudesu) when you want to report what someone else said. To do this, you attach it to the short form of a verb or adjective.
For example:
- If someone says, “The class is fun,” you can report this as:
日本語の授業は楽しいそうです。
(NIhongo no jugyou wa tanoshii soudesu)
“I hear that the Japanese class is fun.”
To specify where you got the information, you can say -によると (ni yoru to), meaning “according to.” For example:
- 新聞によると、雨が降るそうです。
(Shinbun niyoruto, ame ga furu soudesu)
“According to the newspaper, it will rain.”
Examples
Normal
彼は忙しいです。
(Kare wa isogashii desu)→
“He is busy.”
彼女は学生です。
(kanojo wa gakusei desu)→
“She is a student.”
昨日は休みでした。
(Kinou wa yasumi deshita)→
“Yesterday was a day off.”
I hear that…
彼は忙しいそうです。
(Kare wa isogashii soudesu)
“I hear that he is busy.”
彼女は学生だそうです。
(Kanojo wa gakuseida soudesu)
“I hear that she is a student.”
昨日は休みだったそうです。
(Kinou wa yasumi datta soudesu)
“I hear that yesterday was a day off.”
Note
Remember, -そうです (soudesu) doesn’t change for tense or negativity. You don’t say -そうじゃないです or -そうでした. Use only そうです or the casual そうだ when reporting.
Conclusion
Now you know how to use -そうです (soudesu) to report what you’ve heard! It’s easy to use—just attach it to the short form of verbs and adjectives, and you’ll be ready to share information with others.
Recommended Resources
For those who want to dive deeper into understanding -soudesu (I hear) and other Japanese grammar points, I highly recommend “A Guide to Japanese Grammar” by Tae Kim. This book provides clear and easy-to-understand explanations, making it perfect for learners of all levels. It covers both casual and formal Japanese, helping you to master grammar in a practical way. If you’re looking to improve your Japanese skills further, this is a great resource to explore!
