Difference between “そうなんですね” and “そうですね”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “そうなんですね” and “そうですね”
2. そうなんですね
3. そうですね
4. そうなんですね VS そうですね
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment

Q: Is there a difference between “そうなんですね” and “そうですね”?

A: Yes, they are very similar expressions, but their meanings are different.
Let’s look at each one.

そうなんですね

[Expressing Surprise]

When expressing surprise at information you didn’t know, you use “そうなんですね.”
In this case, to show your surprise, it’s often used with an exclamation, like “そうなんですね!!” instead of a flat “そうなんですね“.

[Example]
A：あそこのレストラン、とてもおいしいんですよ！
B：そうなんですね！知しりませんでした。今度こんど行いってみます。
A: The restaurant over there is delicious!
B: Is that so? I didn’t know that. I’ll have to try it out sometime.

“そうなんですね” is a somewhat casual expression compared to formal language, but in more casual situations, “そうなの” or “そうなんだ” can be used.

[Example]
A：あそこのレストラン、とてもおいしいよ！
B：そうなの／そうなんだ！知しらなかった、今度こんど行いってみるね。
A: The restaurant over there is delicious!
B: Is that so? I didn’t know that. I’ll have to try it out sometime.

そうですね

[① Agreement with the other person]

When discussing something with someone and you want to show that you share the same opinion or thought, you use “そうですね.”

[Example]
A：あそこのレストラン、とてもおいしいんですよ！
B：そうですね。わたしも行いったことがありますがおいしいですよね。
A: The restaurant over there is delicious!
B: Yes, it is. I’ve been there before, and it’s really good.
⇒ It means “I also think it’s delicious, just like you.”

This is also a somewhat casual expression compared to formal language, but in more casual situations, “そう” or “そうそう” can be used.

[Example]
A：あそこのレストラン、とてもおいしいよ！
B：そう／そうそう。わたしも行いったことがあるよ。おいしいよね。
A: The restaurant over there is delicious!
B: Yes, it is. I’ve been there before, and it’s really good.

[② Filler Word]

When thinking or hesitating in response to someone’s talk, “そうですね” is used as a filler.
In such cases, instead of finishing with “ね,” you extend the ending slightly, saying “ねえ…”

[Example]　
A：この企画きかく、やりますか。
B：そうですねえ…。ちょっと考かんがえますね。
A: Shall we go ahead with this project?
B: Well… let me think about it for a bit.
⇒ At this point, it shows that you are considering whether to proceed with the project or not.

This is also a somewhat casual expression compared to formal language, but in more casual situations, “そうだなあ” can be used.

[Example]
A：この企画きかく、やりますか。
B：そうだなあ…。ちょっと考かんがえるね。
A: Shall we go ahead with this project?
B: Well… let me think about it for a bit.

そうなんですね VS そうですね

“そうなんですね” and “そうですね” may seem similar, but their meanings are completely different.
As shown in the following conversation, both are often used in the same discussion, so it’s good to be able to distinguish and use them appropriately.

[Example]
A：このあいだの会議かいぎは、とても長ながかったですね。　
B：そうですね…疲つかれました。（相手あいてへの同意どうい）
A：社長しゃちょうはいつも話はなしが長ながいんですよ。大変たいへんです。
B：そうなんですね。（社長しゃちょうの話はなしが長ながいというのは、Bさんが知しらなかった情報じょうほう）
　 次つぎは早はやく終おわるといいですね。
A：本当ほんとうにそうですね。（相手あいてへの同意どうい）
　 ところで昼ひるごはん、どうしますか。レストランに行いきますか。
B：そうですねえ。（相手あいてからの質問しつもんを考かんがえている）
　 レストランに行いきましょうか。
A: The meeting the other day was really long, wasn’t it?
B: Yes, it was… I was exhausted.
A: The president always talks for a long time.
B: Oh, I didn’t know that. Hopefully, the next meeting will end sooner.
A: I really hope so.
　By the way, what should we do for lunch? Should we go to a restaurant?
B: Hmm, let me think… Let’s go to a restaurant.

Summary

そうなんですね

• It is used to express surprise at information you didn’t know before.
• It is also used as a filler when thinking or hesitating in response to questions from someone.

そうですね

• It is used for agreement with the other person and as a filler.

Similar Articles

Comment for any questions!