Translation guide
The English word "such" is used in several distinct grammatical patterns. This guide breaks them down by function: intensifying adjectives/nouns, referring to a type or kind, giving examples, and expressing result or degree. Japanese uses different structures for each, and there is no single direct equivalent.
Use to emphasize the degree of an adjective or noun, often with emotional nuance.
Used for things close to the speaker (physically or psychologically). Expresses 'this much' or 'so'.
こんなに嬉しいことはない。
There's nothing that makes me this happy.
Used for things close to the listener, or referring to what was just mentioned. 'That much'.
そんなに急いでどこへ行くの？
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Used for things distant from both speaker and listener, or known to both. 'That much' (over there).
あんなに大きな犬は見たことがない。
I've never seen such a big dog.
Exclamatory, often with surprise or admiration. 'What a ...!' or 'How ...!'.
なんて美しい景色なんだ！
What a beautiful view! (Such a beautiful view!)
Simple 'very', but can sometimes translate 'such' when the intensity is neutral. Lacks the demonstrative nuance.
とても大きな家ですね。
That's such a big house. (neutral)
Indicate that something belongs to a previously mentioned or understood category.
Means 'that kind of' or 'such'. Refers to a type just mentioned by the listener or context.
そういう考え方もあるね。
There's also that way of thinking. (Such a way of thinking also exists.)
Similar to そういう, but more colloquial. 'That kind of'.
Introduce one or more examples of a category.
The most common way to say 'such as'. や is a non-exhaustive listing particle, and など means 'etc.' or 'and the like'.
果物やりんごやバナナなどが好きです。
I like fruits such as apples and bananas.
Literally 'for example'. Can be used before listing examples, often combined with など.
Express a cause-and-effect relationship where the degree leads to a result.
あまりにも means 'so much' or 'to such an extent'. ので indicates reason.
あまりにも疲れていたので、すぐに寝た。
I was so tired that I went to bed immediately. (I was tired to such an extent that I went to bed.)
Verb すぎる means 'too much'. The て-form links to a result. Often translates 'so ... that'.
Use 'such' to refer back to a previously mentioned noun, often in formal or literary English.
In Japanese, you must specify the category with a generic noun like の (thing), こと (abstract thing), or 人 (person).
そういうのは初めて聞いた。
I've never heard of such a thing before.
そういう人もいるよね。
There are such people too.
Meaning 'in that capacity' or 'therefore'. Often used in formal writing.
These correspond to the ko-so-a-do demonstrative system. こんなに (this much, near me), そんなに (that much, near you or just mentioned), あんなに (that much, away from both). Choose based on psychological or physical distance.
こんなに近いのに、なぜ来ないの？
It's this close, so why don't you come?
そんなに遠いの？
Is it that far?
あんなに練習したのに負けた。
Even though I practiced that much, I lost.
I've never heard such a story.
'This kind of', referring to something close to the speaker.
こういう問題はよくある。
Such problems are common. (This kind of problem is common.)
'That kind of' (distant from both).
ああいう人にはなりたくない。
I don't want to become such a person.
Big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
Means 'like' or 'such as'. Used when giving a representative example.
東京のような大都市では家賃が高い。
In big cities such as Tokyo, rent is high.
嬉しすぎて泣いてしまった。
I was so happy that I cried. (Such happiness that I cried.)
Combines the demonstrative intensifier with a reason clause.
そんなに面白いので、何度も読んだ。
It was such an interesting book that I read it many times.
Often, the reference is clear from context, and Japanese naturally omits the pronoun.
A: 彼は詐欺師だよ。 B: まさか。
A: He's a con man. B: No way. (I never imagined such a thing.)
Means 'therefore' or 'accordingly'. Used when 'as such' means 'because of that'.
彼は専門家ではない。したがって、彼の意見は参考にならない。
He is not an expert. As such, his opinion is not helpful.
Literally 'as that thing itself'. Used when 'as such' means 'in that exact role or capacity'.
これは芸術作品であり、そのものとして評価されるべきだ。
This is a work of art, and should be evaluated as such.
There is no one Japanese word that covers all uses of 'such'. Always identify the function first: intensifier, type reference, example listing, or result. Using the wrong pattern can lead to unnatural or confusing Japanese.
There is no one Japanese word that covers all uses of 'such'. Always identify the function first: intensifier, type reference, example listing, or result. Using the wrong pattern can lead to unnatural or confusing Japanese.