Translation guide
Expressions for referring to a thing of a particular kind, often with emotional nuance like surprise, disdain, or emphasis. Japanese uses demonstrative-based phrases, noun-modifying structures, and set expressions rather than a single word.
To say 'a thing like that' or 'that kind of thing' in a neutral, descriptive way.
Literally 'that kind of thing'. Neutral and common. そんな means 'that kind of', もの means 'thing'.
そんなものは見たことがない。
I've never seen such a thing.
Literally 'that kind of thing'. そういう is a more explicit 'that kind of'. Slightly more formal than そんなもの.
そういうものは必要ない。
I don't need such a thing.
Literally 'that kind of thing (over there)'. Used when the thing is distant from both speaker and listener, or abstractly distant.
ああいうものは珍しい。
Such a thing is rare.
To react with 'Such a thing!' or 'How could such a thing happen?'
Literally 'that kind of thing/event'. Often used in exclamations. こと refers to an intangible thing or event.
そんなことがあるなんて信じられない。
I can't believe such a thing happened.
Interjection meaning 'No way!' or 'Such a thing!'. Often used alone to express disbelief or rejection.
そんな！
Such a thing! / No way!
To say 'such a thing' with a negative or dismissive tone, like 'that kind of nonsense'.
With a dismissive tone, そんなもの can mean 'that kind of worthless thing'. Tone and context convey disdain.
そんなもの、誰も欲しがらないよ。
Nobody wants such a thing.
Used dismissively for an idea or statement. 'Such a thing (you say) is nonsense.'
そんなこと言うな。
Don't say such a thing.
To refer back to a specific thing just mentioned, like 'such a thing (as that)'.
Literally 'things of that kind'. そういった is a more formal/literary version of そういう. Used to refer back to a category.
そういったものは市場に出回っていない。
Such things are not on the market.
Formal equivalent of そんなもの. そのような means 'that kind of'. Common in written Japanese.
そのようなものは存在しない。
Such a thing does not exist.
To deny that something is 'such a thing', often emphatically.
Literally 'it is not such a thing'. Used to strongly deny a characterization.
彼の才能はそんなものではない。
His talent is not such a thing (i.e., it's much greater).
Casual denial: 'That's not true' / 'No such thing'. Often used to refute a statement.
「彼は怠け者だね」「そんなことないよ」
"He's lazy." "No such thing."
English 'such a thing' often corresponds to demonstrative-based phrases in Japanese, not a single word. Direct translations like 'そのような事' are possible but can sound stiff. Use そんなもの/こと for natural speech.
そんな is the most common and casual. そういう is slightly more explicit and can be used in formal contexts. ああいう refers to something distant from both speaker and listener, often abstractly.