Translation guide
Expresses 'that kind of' or 'like that' in Japanese. The most common and versatile option is そんな, used before nouns. Other options include あんな (for things distant from both speaker and listener), そういう (more explanatory), and ああいう (distant explanatory). The choice depends on whether the referent is close to the listener (そ-series) or distant from both (あ-series), and the level of formality.
Referring to a type or kind of thing that is related to the listener or the immediate context.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning 'that kind of' (related to the listener or something just mentioned). Very common in conversation.
That's not true. / It's not like that.
I've never heard that kind of story.
Literally 'that kind of' or 'such'. Slightly more explanatory than そんな. Used before nouns.
That's one way of thinking about it.
More formal/literary version of そういう. Often used in writing or formal speech.
That kind of problem should be dealt with immediately.
Referring to a type or kind of thing that is distant from both the speaker and the listener, or known to both but not present.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning 'that kind of' (distant from both speaker and listener). Used for things not immediately present.
I want to become that kind of person.
I don't want to do that kind of thing again.
Literally 'that kind of' (distant). Similar to あんな but slightly more explanatory.
Formal/literary version of ああいう. Rare in casual speech.
Describing the manner of an action: 'in that kind of way' or 'like that'.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'in that way' or 'like that'. Combines そんな with ふうに (manner).
Don't say it like that.
I never thought about it that way.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'in that way' (distant). Used for actions or states not immediately present.
I wish I could dance like that.
More explicit adverbial phrase: 'in that kind of way'. Slightly more formal.
Please explain it in that way.
Use そんな when the thing is related to the listener or the immediate conversation (e.g., responding to what someone just said). Use あんな when referring to something distant from both speaker and listener, often a shared memory or something not present.
A: I had a weird dream yesterday. B: I often have that kind of dream.
We used to play that kind of game often when we were kids, didn't we?
English 'that kind of' often uses the word 'kind', but Japanese does not use 種類 (しゅるい) in this pattern. Using その種類の sounds unnatural and overly literal. Stick to そんな, あんな, etc.
That kind of attitude is not good.
ああいった事例は稀だ。
That kind of case is rare.