What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私もそう思います is composed of watashi (I), mo (also), sou (so/that way) and omoimasu (think).
Which one should you use?
While 私もそう思います expresses positive agreement, if you want to express negative agreement, such as saying 'I don't think so either', you would use watashi mo sou omoimasen.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 私もそう思います is polite because it uses the -masu ending, making it suitable for use with strangers, colleagues or superiors. For casual conversation with family or friends, you can use the informal そう思う or the colloquial そうだね. Additionally, そう思います serves as a polite way to say 'I think so too' in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle mo (also) is attached to the subject watashi to indicate that the speaker shares the same thought as the previous person.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi mo sou omoimasu
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, people often avoid saying 私もそう思います directly and instead use 'aizuchi' like うんうん or はい to show they are listening and agreeing.
- In very formal business situations, instead of using 思います, people often use the more humble 存じます (zonjimasu) to express the same idea of 'thinking' or 'believing'.
- While 'I think so too' sounds like an opinion in English, using そう思います in Japanese can sometimes function as a polite way to signal that you are simply following the other person's lead rather than forming your own independent judgment.
Examples in context
- 私もそう思います。I think so, too.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 私もそう思います.Tatoeba #4002020 by oliviya, translation #262339 by CK
- 私もそう思います。その方がいいですね。Watashi mo sou omoimasu. Sono hou ga ii desu ne.I think so too. That way is better.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 陽太 Yotaこの映画はとても感動的でしたね。Kono eiga wa totemo kandō-teki deshita ne.This movie was very moving, wasn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、私もそう思います。Hai, watashi mo sō omoimasu.Yes, I think so too.
- 陽太 Yota音楽も素晴らしかったと思います。Ongaku mo subarashikatta to omoimasu.I think the music was wonderful as well.
- 陽葵 Himariそうですね。最高でした。Sō desu ne. Saikō deshita.I agree. It was the best.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
