The difference between “そうなんですね” and “そうですね”

Table of Contents

1. The 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. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments

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

A: Yes. Both are commonly used expressions, but their meanings and usage are different.
Let’s look at each one.

そうなんですね

[Reaction to New Information]

“そうなんですね” is used when you hear information you did not know before and want to respond with a feeling like “I didn’t know that” or “I see.”
This expression often includes a sense of surprise or discovery.

For that reason, in actual conversation, people often say “そうなんですね！” rather than “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 really good!
B: Oh, really? I didn’t know that. I’ll try going there next time.

“そうなんですね” is polite, but it also sounds a little soft and friendly.
If you want to say it more casually, you can use “そうなんだ” or “そうなの.”

[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 really good!
B: Really? I didn’t know that. I’ll try it next time.

そうですね

[① Agreement with the Other Person]

“そうですね” is used when you want to show agreement with the other person’s opinion or impression, in the sense of “I think so too.”

[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 really good!
B: Yes, it is. I’ve been there too, and it’s really good.

Here, “そうですね” means “I feel the same way too.”
This is also a polite expression, but if you want to say it more casually, you can use “そう” or “そうそう.”

[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 really good!
B: Yeah / Exactly. I’ve been there too. It’s really good.

[② Filler Expression]

“そうですね” is also used when you are thinking for a moment or hesitating in response to the other person’s question or comment.
In this case, it is used not so much to show agreement, but as a filler before giving an answer.

At such times, people often stretch out the “ね” a little, saying it like “そうですねえ…”

[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.

At this point, B has not decided yet whether to do it or not.
It shows that B is still thinking.

If you want to say it more casually, you can use “そうだなあ.”

[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.

Let’s Compare

“そうなんですね” and “そうですね” may sound similar, but their meanings are quite different.
In actual conversation, it is very common for both to appear, as in the example below.

[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。(agreement with the other person)
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。(the fact that the president always talks for a long time was new information for B)
　 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。(agreement with the other person)
　 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…。(used as a filler while thinking)
　 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. It’s tough.
B: Oh, I see. I didn’t know that. I hope it ends earlier next time.
A: I really hope so too. By the way, what should we do for lunch? Shall we go to a restaurant?
B: Hmm… let’s go to a restaurant.

Summary

[そうなんですね]

• An expression used when you hear information you did not know before.
• It shows a feeling like “I didn’t know that” or “I see.”

[そうですね]

• There are two main uses:
  ①When you agree with the other person
  ②When you use it as a filler while thinking a little before answering

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Comment for any questions!