GrammarJLPT N5
→ in that way
In That Way / So / Like That
JLPT N5AdverbNeutral
そう is a demonstrative adverb belonging to the こそあど (ko-so-a-do) system. It refers to a manner or state connected to the listener's sphere of knowledge or to something just mentioned in the conversation, meaning 'in that way,' 'so,' or 'like that.' As part of the そ-series, it points to something closer to the listener or to information the listener has introduced. It contrasts with こう (this way — near the speaker), ああ (that way — far from both), and どう (in what way — question). そう is extremely common in everyday conversation, frequently appearing in fixed responses like そうです ('That's right'), そうですか ('Is that so?'), and そうですね ('That's true / Let me see'). It is important not to confuse this adverb そう with the auxiliary そうだ attached to verb stems or adjective stems to express hearsay ('I heard that…') or appearance ('It looks like…'), which are entirely different grammar points despite sharing the same sound.
Functions
#1 Affirming or agreeing with what someone said
Structure
そう + です / だ
A:「日本語は むずかしいですか。」B:「そうですね。」
Here そうですね is used to affirm and agree with the content the other person brought up. The speaker picks up what was said — that Japanese is difficult — and confirms it by saying 'that is so.' This is one of the most frequent uses of そう in daily conversation, functioning as a natural way to say 'yes' or 'that's right' without repeating the full sentence.A: 'Is Japanese difficult?' B: 'Yes, it is (so).'
Structures
- Standalone / with です
- そう (+ です / だ)
- Modifying a verb
- そう + Verb
Common mistakes
Learners often confuse the adverb そう ('in that way / so') with the grammar patterns Verb stem + そうだ (appearance: 'it looks like…') and Plain form + そうだ (hearsay: 'I heard that…'). These are completely different structures despite sharing the sound そう. Another common error is mixing up そう with こう or ああ; remember that そう specifically refers to something in the listener's domain or something just mentioned, while こう refers to something near the speaker and ああ to something distant from both. Beginners sometimes also forget that そうです with a falling intonation means 'That's right,' but そうですか with a rising intonation means 'Is that so?' — mixing up the intonation can change the meaning from a statement to a question.
Related
こうああどうそのようにそうだ (hearsay)そうだ (appearance)