そうだI hear that; reportedly
そうだ reports information learned from another person, a notice, the news, or another identifiable source. It presents the information as a report rather than as the speaker’s own conclusion.
Reporting received information
The clause before そうだ states the content of the report. You can name the source with expressions such as によると or の話では. Even when the source is omitted, the context should make it clear that the information came from somewhere else.
Basic reports
天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
Analyze田中さんの話では、駅前の店は来月閉店するそうです。
According to Tanaka, the shop by the station will close next month.
Analyze新しい店の店長は山田さんだそうです。
I hear that the manager of the new shop is Yamada.
AnalyzeA nonpast affirmative noun keeps だ before the hearsay ending.
Past and negative reports
Make the reported clause itself past or negative. Do not normally change the hearsay ending into a past or negative form.
Hearsay versus appearance
Hearsay そうだ follows a complete plain clause and reports information from a source. Appearance そうだ attaches to a verb’s ます-stem or an adjective stem and describes an impression from present signs. With the verb below, notice the difference between the complete form 降る and the stem 降り.
More examples
ニュースでは、空港はまだ再開していないそうです。
The news says that the airport has not reopened yet.
Analyze友達の話では、この映画はとても面白いそうです。
According to my friend, this movie is very interesting.
Analyze案内によると、博物館は月曜日が休みだそうです。
According to the information provided, the museum is closed on Mondays.
Analyze母から聞いたんですが、祖父は昨日退院したそうです。
I heard from my mother that my grandfather left the hospital yesterday.
Analyze記事によると、その町は昔とても静かだったそうだ。
According to the article, that town used to be very quiet.
Analyze学校からのメールでは、明日の授業はオンラインだそうです。
According to the email from the school, tomorrow’s class will be online.
Analyze