そうだ means apparently; I hear that. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does そうだ mean and when should you use it?
What does そうだ mean?
Use そうだ when you want to express apparently; I hear that in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- apparently; I hear that
- apparently
- I hear that
How to form そうだ
Plain form + そうだ
Examples of the pattern:
- Plain form + そうだ
- そうだ
- related form: そうらしい
When is そうだ used?
Use そうだ in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples
そうだ example sentences
- 明日は雨が降るそうです。 — I hear it will rain tomorrow.
- 田中さんは来月結婚するそうです。 — Apparently Tanaka is getting married next month.
- この店は安くておいしいそうです。 — I hear this shop is cheap and tasty.
- ニュースによると、電車が遅れているそうです。 — According to the news, the train is delayed.
- 先生は今日は忙しいそうです。 — I hear the teacher is busy today.
Nuance of そうだ
The key nuance is apparently; I hear that in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because そうだ often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
そうだ vs そうらしい
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
そうだ:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on apparently; I hear that
そうらしい:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 明日は雨が降るそうです。 — I hear it will rain tomorrow.
- Related pattern with そうらしい: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.
Common mistakes with そうだ
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing そうだ with そうらしい because the English can sound similar
Is そうだ on the JLPT?
Yes. そうだ is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for そうだ
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn そうだ with Kanjiru
If you want to review そうだ together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: