Usage patterns そんな 〈 事こと 〉 such a thing; that kind of thing
I've never heard of such a thing before.
そんなに 〈 形けい 容よう 詞し 〉 that much; so (used to soften or question a degree)
You don't have to worry that much, it'll be fine.
そんな 〈 人ひと 〉 that kind of person; someone like that
I didn't think she was that kind of person.
Expressions そんなふうに in that manner; like that そんな 中なか in such a situation; amidst that; therein そんなわけで therefore; for that reason; so そんなばかな such a stupid ...; what a crazy ... · no way!; what nonsense!; how can that be? Related words そんな is more colloquial and often carries emotional force ('such a thing!'), while そうした is a neutral, descriptive way to refer back to a previously mentioned type.
あんな describes something distant from both speaker and listener, while そんな describes something close to or associated with the listener.
こんな points to something close to the speaker or just mentioned by the speaker, while そんな points to something close to the listener or previously mentioned by the listener.
そんな is the casual, conversational counterpart of そのよう , which sounds more formal and is often used in writing.
Don't confuse with そんな points to something near the listener or just mentioned, while こんな points to something near the speaker or the speaker's own situation.
そんな refers to something tied to the listener or just mentioned, whereas あんな refers to something distant from both speaker and listener that they both already know about.
そんな is a demonstrative pointing to a specific kind already known, while どんな is the question form asking 'what kind of'.
Written forms そんな Usage 100%
Kana-only form; no kanji spelling is used in modern Japanese.
ソンナ Usage <1%
Etymology Derived from the demonstrative そ (so) + んな , related to the こそあど series. The exact historical formation is uncertain, but it functions as a pre-noun adjectival in modern Japanese.
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