そうだ can mean two very different things depending on where it attaches. This guide shows you how to tell them apart and use each one correctly.
At a Glance
| Type | Attaches to | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| そうだ (appearance) | Verb stem / adj stem | Looks like, seems (from observation) | 雨が降りそうだ (looks like it will rain) |
| そうだ (hearsay) | Plain form (sentence end) | I heard that… / apparently | 雨が降るそうだ (I heard it will rain) |
そうだ — Appearance (Looks Like)
Attach そう to the VERB STEM or ADJECTIVE STEM to express that something LOOKS or SEEMS a certain way from observation.
Formation:
• Verb stem + そうだ: 降り + そうだ → 雨が降りそうだ (It looks like it’ll rain)
• i-adj stem + そうだ: 美味し + そうだ → 美味しそうだ (It looks delicious)
• na-adj + そうだ: 便利 + そうだ → 便利そうだ (It seems convenient)
Exception: いい (good) → よさそうだ (not いそうだ)
そうだ — Hearsay (I Heard That)
Attach そうだ to the PLAIN FORM (entire clause + だ/です before そうだ) to express information you received from someone else or heard indirectly.
明日、田中さんが来るそうだ。 — I heard that Mr. Tanaka is coming tomorrow.
あの店は高いそうだ。 — I heard that restaurant is expensive.
Key difference: the plain form before そうだ means hearsay. No verb stem, no adjective stem.
YukaSo 美味しそうだ vs 美味しいそうだ are different?
ReiExactly! 美味しそうだ (stem + そう) = It LOOKS delicious (you can see it). 美味しいそうだ (plain form + そう) = I HEARD it’s delicious (someone told you). One letter makes a huge difference!
YukaIs there an easy way to remember which is which?
ReiYes! If you can SEE it (direct observation), drop the い/る and add そう (stem). If you HEARD about it (indirect info), keep the full form and just add そうだ at the end.
Comparing Side by Side
| Japanese | Type | Source of info | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 雨が降りそうだ | Appearance | Looking at the sky | It looks like it’ll rain |
| 雨が降るそうだ | Hearsay | Weather forecast / heard from someone | I heard it will rain |
| 彼は忙しそうだ | Appearance | Observing him | He looks busy |
| 彼は忙しいそうだ | Hearsay | Someone told you | I heard he’s busy |
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 食べるそうだ (appearance — about to eat) | 食べそうだ | Appearance uses stem (食べ), not plain form |
| いそうだ (looks good) | よさそうだ | いい → よさ is an irregular stem |
| 美味しそうだ when you heard it | 美味しいそうだ | Hearsay needs plain form before そうだ |
Quick Quiz
Choose the correct form:
1. The soup looks delicious! (you can see it) → 美味しそうです！
2. I heard she’s getting married. → 彼女は結婚するそうです。
3. It looks like it’s about to rain. (looking at clouds) → 雨が降りそうです。
Practice in the Comments!
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Keep Learning: Grammar Hub | かもしれない vs でしょう | なら vs たら vs ば
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