How to Use そうだ for Hearsay and Appearance in Japanese

Understanding そうだ as Hearsay

In Japanese, そうだ can be used to report information heard from others. This is akin to saying "I heard that..." in English. It conveys a level of uncertainty, as the speaker is sharing information second-hand.

Formation of Hearsay Using そうだ

To form hearsay sentences with そうだ, you simply attach it to the plain form of a verb or adjective. This can be either positive or negative.

Using そうだ for Appearance or Seeming

Besides hearsay, そうだ is also used to express an inference based on appearance. This usage is similar to saying "It looks like..." in English. The key difference from hearsay lies in the direct observation by the speaker.

Formation of Appearance Using そうだ

For the appearance function, そうだ is attached to the stem of verbs or i-adjectives and the root of na-adjectives.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Learners often mix up the usage of そうだ for hearsay and appearance. Remember, hearsay involves information from others, while appearance is about your own observation.