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JLPT N5 · Grammar
Highlighted parts are the fixed pieces of the pattern; the rest changes with the word you attach it to.
## What it means そうです means "that's right" or "yes, that's correct." You use it to agree with something someone just said — it's not a general, all-purpose word for "yes."
## When to use it Say そうです by itself as a short reply confirming a statement or guess, especially after questions like これは〜ですか. To disagree, say **そうじゃありません** or **そうではありません** ("that's not right"). It only confirms or denies something already said, so it can't be used to answer just any yes/no question out of nowhere.
## Don't confuse it with Don't confuse そうです with **はい**. はい is a general "yes" that works for almost any yes/no question, but そうです specifically confirms that a statement or guess is correct — closer to "that's how it is" than a plain "yes." For example, if someone asks 昨日映画を見ましたか ("Did you watch a movie yesterday?"), はい sounds natural, but そうです sounds odd since there's no guess being confirmed.
「明日は休みですか。」「はい、そうです。」
"Is tomorrow a day off?" "Yes, that's right."
「あの人は学生ですか。」「そうです。」
"Is that person a student?" "Yes, that's right."
「これは先生の車ですか。」「いいえ、そうじゃありません。」
"Is this the teacher's car?" "No, that's not right."
「その時計は高いですか。」「そうです、とても高いです。」
"Is that watch expensive?" "Yes, it is—very expensive."
「山田さんは会社員ですか。」「そうです。」
"Is Mr. Yamada an office worker?" "Yes, that's right."
「これは猫ですか。」「いいえ、そうではありません。犬です。」
"Is this a cat?" "No, it isn't. It's a dog."
「あなたは学生ですか。」「はい、そうです。大学生です。」
"Are you a student?" "Yes, I am. I'm a university student."