JLPT N4 Grammar – 4 Types of “〜そう”

Q: I think there are several grammar forms of “〜そう” in Japanese. Could you explain the differences?

A: There are four types of “〜そう” grammar in Japanese.
Let’s look at the differences between them.

①Hearsay

This is used when someone conveys information obtained from someone or something to others.
The source of the information is indicated by phrases such as “～によると or “～によれば”, which translates to “according to ~” or “based on ~”.

[Rules]
[V] Verb plain form＋そう
[A] い adjective plain form＋そう
[Na] な adjective plain form ＋そう
[N] Noun plain form ＋そう

[Examples]
[V] 山田やまださんによると、木村きむらさんは来月らいげつ東京とうきょうに引っ越ひ　こすそうです。
According to Mr. Yamada, Mr. Kimura is going to move to Tokyo next month.

[A] 天気てんき予報よほうによると来週らいしゅうの天気てんきはよくないそうです。
According to the weather forecast, the weather next week is not going to be good.

[Na] 母ははによると若わかいとき父ちちは仕事しごとが大変たいへんだったそうです。
According to my mother, my father had a hard time at work when he was young.

[N] 木村きむらさんによると、つぎの休やすみは雨あめだそうです。
According to Mr. Kimura, it’s going to rain on the next day off.

②Appearance

This form is used when someone wants to convey thoughts based on observations of someone or something.
In the negative form, “ない” becomes “なさそう”.
The adjective “いい” uses “よい” and becomes “よさそう”.
“そう” can be used as a na-adjective, allowing a noun to follow. It cannot be used with nouns.

[Rules]
[A] い adjectiveーい＋そう 
[Na] なadjective ＋そう 
[V] Verb stem form ＋そう 

[Examples]
[A] 子供こどもが楽たのしそうに遊あそんでいます。 　
　 The children seem to be playing happily.

　 赤あかちゃんがとても気持きもちよさそうに寝ねています。
 　 The baby seems to be sleeping very comfortably.

[Na]木村きむらさんは毎朝まいあさランニングをして元気げんきそうです。 　
　　Mr. Kimura goes running every morning and seems healthy.

　 元気げんきそうな顔かおが見みられて安心あんしんしました。
　 Seeing his energetic face is reassuring.

[V]山田やまださんはいい時計とけいとかばんを使つかっていて、お金かねを持もっていそうですね。
　 Mr. Yamada uses a nice watch and bag, he seems to have money.

　 あの人ひとはあまりお金かねがなさそうですね。
　 That person doesn’t seem to have much money.

③Prediction & Judgment

This is used when someone wants to convey judgments or predictions made based on situations or reasons.
When used in the negative form, “そうもない” is used.
“いい” becomes “よさそう” using “よい”.
It cannot be used with nouns.

[Rules]
[V] Verb stem form＋そう
[A] い adjectiveーい ＋そう
[Na] な adjective＋そう

[Examples]
[V]このパソコンは古ふるいけど、ちゃんと動うごくしまだ使つかえそうです。 　
 　 This computer is old, but it still works and seems usable.

 　 今日きょうはとても忙いそがしくて18時じまでに帰かえれそうもないです。
 　 Today is very busy, and it doesn’t look like I can get home by 6 PM.

[A] このスマホは画面がめんも大おおきいし、見みやすそうです。 　
 　 This smartphone has a large screen and seems easy to see.

 　 あのピンクの服ふく、娘むすめによさそうです。
 　 That pink dress looks good on my daughter.

[Na]このアパートは駅えきから遠とおいし不便ふべんそうです。
 　 This apartment is far from the station and seems inconvenient.

④Imminent

This is used when someone observes the condition of a person or an object and believes that something is about to happen immediately or in the near future.
“そう” can be used as a na-adjective, allowing a noun to follow.
However, it cannot be used with adjectives or nouns.　

[Rule]
[V] Verb stem form＋そう

[Examples]
空そらが暗くらくなってきたから、雨あめが降ふりそうですね。
It’s getting dark, so it looks like it’s going to rain.

もうすぐあの桜さくらが咲さきそうです。 　
Those cherry blossoms look like they will bloom soon.

女の子おんな　こは泣なきそうな顔かおでお母かあさんを待まっています。
The girl is waiting for her mother with a face that looks like she’s about to cry.

Summary

“Hearsay” vs. “Appearance” 

However, Appearance “〜そう” is used when talking about something observed or felt firsthand.
Hearsay “〜そう” is used when speaking based on information received.

“Prediction & Judgment” vs. “Imminent”

Prediction & Judgment “〜そう” involves the speaker discussing the possibility of something happening in the future based on the current situation or reasons.
However, Imminent “〜そう” refers to something that is believed to happen very soon or in the near future.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.