JLPT N2・N4 Grammar – Difference between “〜そう” and “〜げ”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜そう” and “〜げ”
2. ～そう
3. 〜げ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “〜そう” and “〜げ”?

A: Both “〜そう” and “〜げ” express appearance or manner, but they differ in meaning and usage. In some cases, they can be interchanged, though the nuance changes slightly.

～そう (JLPT N4)

[Meaning]
Used when the speaker expresses an impression or inference based on someone’s appearance or behavior

[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + そう
[A] い adjective stem + そう
[Na] な adjective stem + そう

[Examples]

雨あめが降ふりそうな空そらの色いろだね。

The color of the sky looks like it’s going to rain.

あまそうな飲のみ物ものですね。

That drink looks sweet.

元気げんきそうで良よかったです。
I’m glad you look well.

This expression is used when the speaker judges a situation based on what they observe and conveys their impression.

[Examples]

妹いもうとは新あたらしいまんがをほしそうに見みています。

My younger sister is looking at the new manga as if she wants it.
⇒ The speaker observes her and infers that “she probably wants the manga.”
*Note: “〜がほしいです” can only be used to express one’s own desire, not someone else’s.

空そらがだんだん暗くらくなってきて、雨あめが降ふりそうですね。
The sky is gradually getting darker — it looks like it’s going to rain.


子こどもがベッドで気持きもちよさそうに寝ねています。
The child is sleeping comfortably in bed.

For more details, see this article:

〜げ (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Used to express a person’s feelings or the atmosphere they give off

[Rules]
[い] い adjective い + げ
[Na] な adjective な + げ
[V] あります + げ

[Commonly used words]
悲かなしい (Sad), 寂さびしい (Lonely), 苦くるしい (Painful), 恥はずかしい (Embarrassed), 退屈たいくつ (Bored), 不安ふあん (Anxious) etc.

“〜げ” is used to express the atmosphere or feeling that reflects a person’s inner emotions outwardly.
Therefore, it tends to combine with fewer words compared to “〜そう.”

[Examples]

悲かなしげな目めをしている捨すて犬いぬを見捨みすてられず、うちで飼かうことにしました。

I couldn’t abandon the stray dog with sad-looking eyes, so I decided to take it in.
⇒ This describes the stray dog’s appearance, which looks sad.

彼女かのじょは自信じしんありげに次回じかいの企画きかくについて発表はっぴょうしました。
She confidently presented her plan for the next project.


学生がくせいは退屈たいくつげにぼんやりと外そとを眺ながめています。
The student gazed out the window absentmindedly, looking bored.

Let’s Compare

When used with words that express emotions, “〜そう” and “〜げ” can often be interchanged.

[Examples]

◯ 娘むすめは今日きょうのできごとを楽たのしそうに話はなしています。

◯ 娘むすめは今日きょうあったことを楽たのしげに話はなしています。
My daughter is talking happily about what happened today.

However, “〜げ” cannot be used with words that do not express emotions.

[Examples]

〇 このケーキ、おいしそうですね。

× このケーキ、おいしげですね。
This cake looks delicious.

In the following examples, both expressions sound natural, but their nuances differ.

[Examples]

① 彼女かのじょは不満ふまんそうな顔かおで「はい」と言いいました。
She said “yes” with a dissatisfied look on her face.

② 彼女かのじょは不満ふまんありげな顔かおで「はい」と言いいました。
She said “yes” with a slightly discontented expression.

① “〜そう” is used when the speaker conveys what they infer from an outward impression or visible behavior.
② “〜げ” is used when inner emotions or feelings are reflected through one’s expression or actions, capturing and describing the deeper atmosphere or mood.

Summary

[〜そう]

• Used when the speaker conveys an impression or infers a situation based on what they see.
• Expresses an objective observation or inference based on outward appearance.

[〜げ]

• Used to describe a person’s emotions or atmosphere, mainly depicting their inner state. The words it combines with are somewhat limited.
• Expresses a more subjective feeling, capturing and conveying the emotional or inner atmosphere sensed by the speaker.

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