そういう

also: そうゆう · そーゆー · そーいう

そ

う

い

う

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 500

Meanings

1

pre-noun adjectival

such; like that; that kind of

usually written using kana alone

Pre-noun adjectival (rentaishi) used to refer to something previously mentioned or understood from context. Equivalent to 'that sort of' or 'such'.

そういうことはよくあるよ。
That kind of thing happens often.

そう

いう

人ひと

と

は

付つ

き

合あ

い

たく

ない

。

I don't want to associate with people like that.

そういうわけで、今日きょうは休やすみます。

For that reason, I'll take the day off today.

Written forms

そう言う
- そういう
  Kanji spelling is rarely used; the kana form is strongly preferred.
- そうゆう
  irregular kana usage
然う言う
rarely-used kanji form
- そういう
  Rarely used kanji form; not recommended for learners.
- そうゆう
  irregular kana usage
そうゆう
irregular kana usage
Colloquial variant with irregular kana usage; common in casual speech.

Kanji

言say, word
然sort of thing, so, if so

Similar words

こんな
Refers to something near the speaker ('this kind of'), while そういう refers to something near the listener or previously mentioned ('that kind of').
あんな
Refers to something distant from both speaker and listener ('that kind of over there'), while そういう is more directly tied to the listener or context.
どういう
Interrogative form ('what kind of'), while そういう is the demonstrative response ('that kind of').

Etymology

Derived from the adverb そう (so, like that) and the verb 言う (to say), literally 'saying so'. The kana spelling is standard; the kanji form is rarely used.