Demystifying the JLPT Grammar Point 〜そうです (Denbun)

〜そうです (伝聞)

If you are studying for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), especially at the N3 or N2 level, you have likely encountered a truly frustrating obstacle: grammar structures that look or sound identical but carry completely different meanings. Chief among these is the notorious 〜そうです (sō desu).

I know the confusion. You learned 〜そうです meant “it looks like…” (e.g., “It looks like it’s going to rain”), only to find it popping up in sentences where it clearly means “I heard that…” or “They say…”

It’s enough to make you pull your hair out! But don’t worry. This detailed guide is dedicated solely to separating these twins and conquering the “Hearsay” or “Reporting” usage of 〜そうです (伝聞 – Denbun). By the end of this article, you will not only understand the rules but also know how to apply them perfectly in real-world conversations and nail those tricky JLPT questions.

Before diving into the grammar detail, here is the JLPT N4 complete guide: 
The Ultimate JLPT N4 Complete Guide: Your Gateway to Working and Living in Japan

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Japanese reporting!

Understanding the Core Confusion: The Two Lives of “Sō Desu”

Before we master the reporting structure, we must first establish crystal-clear boundaries between the two primary uses of そうです. Their meanings are entirely dependent on how they conjugate with the preceding word.

The Appearance/Looks Like 〜そうです (The State of Affairs)

This is likely the first version you learned. It expresses the speaker’s conjecture based on visual evidence, observation, or immediate feeling. It means “It looks like,” “It seems like,” or “It appears.”

• Conjugation Rule: Verb Stem Form (V-Stem), I-Adjective (drop the final い), or Na-Adjective (no な).
• Example:雨が降りそうです。(Ame ga furi sō desu.)Meaning: It looks like it is going to rain. (Based on dark clouds, the feel of the air, etc.)

Notice the conjugation: 降ります (furimasu) becomes 降り (furi) + そうです. The crucial point here is that the word preceding そうです is modified or cut short.

Our Focus: The Hearsay/Reporting 〜そうです (伝聞 – Denbun)

This structure is used to report information received from an external source—a radio report, a newspaper, gossip, or something a friend told you. It signals that the information did not originate with the speaker. It means “I heard that,” “I am told that,” or “It is reported that.”

• Conjugation Rule: The full Plain Form (or Dictionary Form) of the verb, adjective, or noun is used.
• Example:雨が降るそうです。(Ame ga furu sō desu.)Meaning: I heard that it will rain. (Based on what the weather forecast said.)

Notice the difference: The verb 降る (furu) is in its complete plain form, directly attached to そうです. This subtle difference in conjugation is the key to mastering the distinction.

Decoding the Rules: How to Form Hearsay (伝聞) 〜そうです

The beauty of the reporting 〜そうです is its consistency. Unlike the appearance form, which requires modification, the reporting form simply attaches to the plain form of almost any part of speech. This consistency makes the conjugation relatively simple once you are comfortable with Japanese plain forms (dictionary, short, casual forms).

Verbs (動詞 – Dōshi)

Verbs are the most common companions for this structure. You can use any plain form—positive, negative, past, or non-past.

• Non-Past Affirmative (Dictionary Form): V (Plain) + そうです新しい社長は来月来るそうです。(Atarashii shachō wa raigetsu kuru sō desu.)Meaning: I heard the new president is coming next month.
• Non-Past Negative: V (Negative) + そうです今日の会議は中止にならないそうです。(Kyō no kaigi wa chūshi ni naranai sō desu.)Meaning: I heard today’s meeting will not be cancelled.
• Past Affirmative: V (Past/Ta-Form) + そうです田中さんはもう帰ったそうです。(Tanaka-san wa mō kaetta sō desu.)Meaning: I heard Mr. Tanaka already went home.
• Past Negative: V (Past Negative) + そうです昨日の地震で大きな被害はなかったそうです。(Kinō no jishin de ōkina higai wa nakatta sō desu.)Meaning: I heard there was no major damage from yesterday’s earthquake.

I-Adjectives (い形容詞 – I-Keiyōshi)

With I-adjectives, the full adjective, including the final い, must be maintained.

• Affirmative: I-Adj + そうですこのアパートは家賃が高いそうです。(Kono apāto wa yachin ga takai sō desu.)Meaning: I heard the rent for this apartment is expensive.
• Negative: I-Adj (Negative) + そうですあの店の商品はそれほど美味しくないそうです。(Ano mise no shōhin wa sore hodo oishiku nai sō desu.)Meaning: I heard that that shop’s products are not that delicious.

Crucial Distinction Reminder: If you drop the い (高そう), it means “it looks expensive” (appearance). If you keep the い (高いそう), it means “I heard it is expensive” (hearsay).

Na-Adjectives and Nouns (な形容詞・名詞)

This category is where learners often struggle, as the full plain form requires the copula (だ/です/である), which is often omitted in casual speech.

• The Formal/Complete Rule: Na-Adj/Noun + だ + そうです佐藤さんは元気だそうです。(Satō-san wa genki da sō desu.)Meaning: I heard Mr. Satō is well/healthy.
• Commonly Used Rule (Dropping だ): Na-Adj/Noun + そうですこの地域は安全だそうです。(Kono chiiki wa anzen da sō desu.) / *Informally:* この地域は安全そうです。(Anzen sō desu.)Meaning: I heard this area is safe.
• Nouns (Plain Form): Noun + だ + そうです彼女の趣味は読書だそうです。(Kanojo no shumi wa dokusho da sō desu.)Meaning: I heard her hobby is reading.

While native speakers frequently drop the copula だ when reporting adjectives and nouns, especially in informal settings, remember that for strict JLPT testing and formal writing, connecting the full plain form (including だ) demonstrates a complete mastery of the structure.

Practical Application: Everyday Scenarios and Contexts

The reporting そうです is indispensable in Japanese because it allows you to relay information without personally vouching for its truth. It’s an excellent way to maintain neutrality and protect yourself from being the source of potentially inaccurate information.

Let’s examine three common, practical scenarios where you would use this grammar point.

Scenario 1: Reporting Official or External Information (The News Report)

When you are referencing information obtained from the media, announcements, or reports (things you didn’t see firsthand), そうです is perfect.

Japanese Sentence:

来週の木曜日、東京では雪が降るそうです。

(Raishū no mokuyōbi, Tōkyō de wa yuki ga furu sō desu.)

Detailed Breakdown:

• Source: Weather forecast (天気予報 – tenki yohō).
• Grammar Used: 降る (furu – dictionary form of “to fall”) + そうです。
• Translation/Context: “I heard that snow will fall in Tokyo next Thursday.” or “It is reported that snow will fall in Tokyo next Thursday.”

Why this is essential: By using そうです, you signal that you are merely relaying the weather report. If the forecast is wrong, the fault lies with the weather reporter, not with you. This distancing is a hallmark of the reporting structure.

Scenario 2: Relaying Third-Person Gossip or Plans (Office Talk)

This is the structure you use for reporting things other people have told you about their personal lives, plans, or observations.

Japanese Sentence:

部長は昨日、大事なプレゼンテーションを終えたそうです。だから今日はとても機嫌がいいんですよ。

(Buchō wa kinō, daiji na purezentēshon o oeta sō desu. Dakara kyō wa totemo kigen ga ii n desu yo.)

Detailed Breakdown:

• Source: A colleague, or perhaps the boss (部長 – buchō) mentioned it briefly.
• Grammar Used: 終えた (oeta – plain past form of “to finish”) + そうです。
• Translation/Context: “I heard the manager finished the important presentation yesterday. That’s why they are in such a good mood today.”

This example shows そうです used in the past tense (終えた). This is very common when reporting completed actions. Note the inclusion of the sentence particle よ (yo) at the end, which adds the nuance of emphasizing the information to the listener (like saying, “Hey, listen to this fact!”).

Scenario 3: Reporting Adjectives and Opinions (Restaurant Reviews)

You can easily report opinions or descriptions using adjectives, often used when giving recommendations or warnings.

Japanese Sentence:

この近くにできた新しいラーメン屋は、量が少なくてあまり美味しくないそうです。

(Kono chikaku ni dekita atarashii rāmen ya wa, ryō ga sukunakute amari oishiku nai sō desu.)

Detailed Breakdown:

• Source: A friend who visited the shop, or online reviews.
• Grammar Used: 美味しくない (oishiku nai – plain negative form of the I-adjective) + そうです。
• Translation/Context: “I heard that the new ramen shop that opened near here has small portions and isn’t very delicious.”

This example beautifully demonstrates the power of using the full plain negative form of an I-adjective. If you had dropped the い (美味しくなそうです), the grammar would be incorrect for this context, as the ‘appearance’ form is generally only used for the affirmative stem or the immediate future.

Navigating the Nuances: Distinguishing 〜そうです from Similar Grammar

For high-level JLPT success (N3 and above), you must not only understand 〜そうです but also be able to differentiate it clearly from other Japanese structures that convey conjecture or reporting. These are often tested side-by-side.

〜そうです vs. 〜らしい (Rashii)

Both そうです and らしい translate roughly to “I heard” or “It seems.” However, the key difference lies in the **reliability and source of the information.**

らしい (Rashii): Hearsay Based on Vague or Indirect Evidence

• Source: Information is generally indirect, uncertain, or based on common rumors, atmosphere, or general perception.
• Feeling: “It seems to be the case,” or “It sounds like what you would expect.” The speaker usually feels less certain about the fact.
• Conjugation: Attaches directly to the Plain Form (no special rules for nouns/Na-adjectives needed).

Example Comparison:

Sō Desu (Direct Report): 社長は病気で入院したそうです。(Shachō wa byōki de nyūin shita sō desu.) (Source: Secretary told me directly, or I read it in an official memo.)

Rashii (Indirect Report/Rumor): 社長は病気で入院したらしい。(Shachō wa byōki de nyūin shita rashii.) (Source: I saw the empty parking spot for a week and heard whispers in the office.)

Conclusion: Use そうです when you have a definite external source (news, a person, an official report). Use らしい when the information is more rumor-based, atmospheric, or less verifiable.

〜そうです vs. 〜ようだ (Yō da)

ようだ (Yō da) is another structure meaning “it seems” or “it looks like,” but its function is fundamentally different from reporting そうです.

ようだ (Yō da): Conjecture Based on Observation/Similarity

• Source: Conjecture based purely on the speaker’s own senses—what they see, hear, or feel. It often implies a comparison (“It is like X,” or “It appears to be X.”)
• Feeling: Highly subjective. The speaker is making an inference, not reporting a fact.
• Conjugation: Requires a modifying particle (e.g., Noun + の + ようだ, Na-Adj + な + ようだ).

Example Comparison:

Sō Desu (Report): 彼の家は今週末、パーティーがあるそうです。(Kare no ie wa konshūmatsu, pātī ga aru sō desu.) (Source: He invited me or someone told me.)

Yō Da (Observation): 彼の家は今週末、パーティーがあるようです。(Kare no ie wa konshūmatsu, pātī ga aru yō desu.) (Source: I saw many cars parked there and festive lights, so I assume a party is happening.)

Conclusion: If you are reporting what was *said* or *written*, use そうです. If you are reporting what you *personally observed* or *inferred* from the situation, use ようだ or the Appearance そうです.

〜そうです vs. 〜って (Tte)

If you find そうです too formal for casual chatting with friends, you can rely on the contracted, highly casual version, 〜って (tte), which functions identically to the hearsay そうです.

• Rule: Plain Form + って
• Example: 山田さん、結婚するんだって。(Yamada-san, kekkon suru n datte.) (I heard Yamada is getting married.)

While って is crucial for conversational fluency, remember that そうです is the formal structure required for most written JLPT texts, news broadcasts, and respectful conversation.

Traps and Pitfalls: Common Mistakes Learners Make

Even after understanding the core rule, mastering the nuances of そうです requires avoiding a few classic traps that consistently trip up high-level learners.

Mistake 1: Confusing Conjugations (The V-Stem Trap)

The single most common error is applying the V-Stem rule (for Appearance) to the Hearsay structure.

• Incorrect: 田中さんがもう帰りそうです。(Tanaka-san ga mō kaeri sō desu.)
• Intended Meaning: I heard Tanaka already went home.
• Actual Meaning (using V-Stem): Tanaka looks like he is about to go home (appearance/immediate future).
• Correction (Hearsay): 田中さんがもう帰ったそうです。(Tanaka-san ga mō kaetta sō desu.) (Uses the full plain past form: 帰った.)

The Fix: Always verify that you are using the *complete* plain form (dictionary, ta, nai, nakatta, full I-adjective) when reporting information.

Mistake 2: Using Sō Desu for Your Own Personal Intentions or Hearing

Japanese grammar strictly limits the use of certain subjective forms. You cannot use そうです to report something you directly experienced or decided.

If you heard the information directly, you should use the full quotation structure with と聞きました (to kikimashita) or と言っていました (to itte imashita).

• Incorrect: 私は上司に怒られたそうです。(Watashi wa jōshi ni okorareta sō desu.) (This sounds like you are reporting about yourself, based on what someone else told you about your own experience, which is illogical.)
• Correction: 私は上司に怒られたと言われました。(Watashi wa jōshi ni okorareta to iwaremashita.) (I was told by my boss that I was scolded.)

Similarly, you cannot use the Appearance そうです for your own wishes or intentions (e.g., 私は映画を見たいそうです – I look like I want to see a movie). For self-reporting, use simple desire forms like 〜たい.

Mistake 3: Omitting Essential Context or Source

While そうです implies an external source, in formal or academic Japanese, it often feels weak if the source is completely ambiguous. A truly natural Japanese speaker will often preface the report.

• Weak: 明日は雨が降るそうです。(Ashita wa ame ga furu sō desu.)
• Stronger: 天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。(Tenki yohō ni yoru to, ashita wa ame ga furu sō desu.) (According to the weather forecast, I heard it will rain tomorrow.)

While そうです can stand alone, incorporating phrases like 〜によると (ni yoru to – according to), 〜新聞によれば (shinbun ni yoreba – according to the newspaper), or 〜が言っていました (ga itte imashita – X said) demonstrates a deeper comprehension of how reported information is sourced and formalized in Japanese.

Advanced Usage: Adding Particle and Context

Once you are comfortable with the basic conjugation, you can add nuance using particles, which helps clarify the speaker’s attitude towards the reported information.

Using ぞ and よ (Zo and Yo)

Adding the particle よ (yo) or the stronger, more masculine particle ぞ (zo) at the end emphasizes the information being reported to the listener.

• 試験は来月実施されるそうですよ。(Shiken wa raigetsu jisshi sareru sō desu yo.)Meaning: I heard the test will be administered next month, (so listen up!)

Using ね (Ne)

Adding ね (ne) invites the listener to agree or acknowledge the reported information.

• このお店のケーキはすごく美味しいそうですね。(Kono omise no kēki wa sugoku oishii sō desu ne.)Meaning: I heard this shop’s cake is really delicious, (isn’t that right?)

This structure, そうですね, is extremely common in conversation when acknowledging shared external information, often used as a polite way to agree without stating the fact as your own observation.

Conclusion: Your Final Strategy for JLPT Success

The grammar point 〜そうです (Denbun) is a fantastic tool in your JLPT arsenal. It shows sophistication in how you source and relay information, moving you far beyond simple direct quotation structures like 〜と言いました.

If you are aiming for N3 or N2, remember these three crucial points:

1. Conjugation is King: Hearsay そうです *always* uses the full plain form of the preceding word (V/I-Adj/Na-Adj/N).
2. Source Matters: This structure is for information you did *not* personally observe or decide. It is for external reports, news, or gossip.
3. Know the Neighbors: Be prepared to distinguish そうです from らしい (rumor) and ようだ (observation).

Don’t let the similarity in sound confuse you anymore. By focusing on the connection rule—Plain Form vs. Stem Form—you can confidently report facts and rumors like a native Japanese speaker. Keep practicing these subtle differences, and you’ll be one step closer to acing the JLPT!

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