【そう(ですか)・sō(desuka)】I see/is that right

そうですか・sodesuka = I see/is that right

You can use this to say:

Oh I see.
Is that right(?) (not a question)

"Sōdesuka" originally means "That's what it is". It simply acknowledges what the person is saying like "I see (while you nod)". When using it this way, you don't raise the ending "ka" because it's not meant to be a question.

"Sō", when connected with other letters and words, makes wide range of expressions with very different meanings. Intonation is also important.

EXAMPLES

Is that right!

Grace

らいしゅう、おばがあそびにくるんです。
(Raishu, oba ga asobi ni kurundesu.)

(My auntie will visit me next week.)

そうですか! それはたのしみですね。
(Sōdesuka! sore wa tanosimi desune.)

Keiko

(Is that right! You must be excited).

I see

Grace

きのうはいそがしくて、とてもつかれました。
(Kinō wa isogasikute totemo tukaremasita.)

(It was a busy day yesterday, I was so tired.)

そうなんだ。たいへんだったね。
(Sōnanda. taihen datta ne.)

Keiko

(I see. That must have been hard.) -this is casual

good to know

Some variations of "Sōdesuka" are:

"Sōnandesuka" (polite) positive acknowledgement, with a little impressed or surprised reaction.

"Sōnanda" (casual) positive acknowledgement.

"Aa sō" (casual) very simple response.

"Sōnano?" (casual) means "Is that right?" means you are a bit surprised by what you hear and want to know why/more about it.

Let's learn Japanese!