Japanese Grammar: "Sou" (そう) with Adjectives

This document explains the usage of "sou" (そう) in Japanese grammar, specifically focusing on its application with adjectives. "Sou" can indicate hearsay or appearance, and this guide outlines the differences and provides examples for each case.

Overview of "Sou" with Adjectives

1. Hearsay "Sou" (〜そうだ)

When "sou" is used with adjectives to indicate hearsay, it means that the speaker is reporting information they have heard from someone else.

Formation:

• Adjective (plain form) + そうだ

Examples:

• おいしい (oishii, delicious) -> おいしいそうだ (oishii sou da) - I heard that it is delicious.
• 寒い (samui, cold) -> 寒いそうだ (samui sou da) - I heard that it is cold.

2. Appearance "Sou" (〜そう)

When "sou" is used with adjectives to indicate appearance, it means that the speaker is expressing that something looks like it is the case based on their observation.

Formation:

• For い-adjectives: Drop the final い and add そう.
• For な-adjectives: Add そう directly to the adjective.

Examples:

• おいしい (oishii, delicious) -> おいしそう (oishisou) - It looks delicious.
• 元気 (genki, healthy) -> 元気そう (genkisou) - (Someone) looks healthy.

Examples in Context

Hearsay "Sou" (〜そうだ)

1. そのレストランはおいしいそうだ (Sono resutoran wa oishii sou da)
2. I heard that the restaurant is delicious.

3. おいしい (oishii, delicious) + そうだ

4. 今日は寒いそうだ (Kyou wa samui sou da)

5. I heard that it is cold today.
6. 寒い (samui, cold) + そうだ

Appearance "Sou" (〜そう)

1. このケーキはおいしそう (Kono keeki wa oishisou)
2. This cake looks delicious.

3. おいしい (oishii, delicious) -> おいし (oishi) + そう

4. 彼は元気そうだ (Kare wa genkisou da)

5. He looks healthy.
6. 元気 (genki, healthy) + そう

Comparison Table for Adjectives

Type	Formation	Meaning	Example (Delicious)
Hearsay	Adjective (plain form) + そうだ	Reported information	おいしいそうだ (oishii sou da) - I heard that it is delicious.
Appearance	い-adjective stem + そう	Looks/Appears to be	おいしそう (oishisou) - It looks delicious.
Appearance	な-adjective + そう	Looks/Appears to be	元気そう (genkisou) - (Someone) looks healthy.

Summary

• Hearsay "Sou" (〜そうだ): Used with the plain form of adjectives to convey information that the speaker has heard from someone else.
• Example: おいしいそうだ (oishii sou da) - I heard that it is delicious.
• Appearance "Sou" (〜そう): Used with the stem of い-adjectives or directly with な-adjectives to express that something looks like it is the case based on the speaker's observation.
• Example: おいしそう (oishisou) - It looks delicious.
• Example: 元気そう (genkisou) - (Someone) looks healthy.

Understanding how "sou" works with adjectives in these two contexts will help you accurately convey information you have heard and describe situations based on what you observe.