そんな感じ
sonna kanji
The English phrase "something like that" is translated into Japanese as そんな感じ (sonna kanji).
This phrase is used to indicate that something is similar to what was just described, but not exactly the same. It conveys a similar feeling or situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sonna (that kind of) and kanji (feeling/impression), literally meaning "that kind of feeling".
Which one should you use?
You can add なんか to the beginning to create なんかそんな感じ, which provides a slightly stronger emphasis on the vague similarity or feeling.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
そんな感じ is used in informal conversations. For a more polite tone suitable for conversation with strangers or superiors, add です to the end to make it そんな感じです. In more formal contexts, you can use そのような感じで to imply a similar feeling or impression without explicitly stating what it is.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase as a complete sentence in a neutral or plain style, you can add the copula だ to the end, resulting in そんな感じだ.
How do you pronounce it?
sonna kanji
Did you know?
- The word 感じ (kanji) in this phrase does not refer to the 'kanji' characters used in writing, but rather to 'feeling' or 'impression'.
- In Japanese, many people avoid saying 'yes' or 'no' directly to be polite. Using そんな感じ allows a speaker to confirm an idea without being 100% definitive, which helps maintain social harmony.
- The demonstrative そんな acts as a psychological bridge, pointing not just to a physical object, but to a concept already existing in the listener's mind.
Examples in context
- そんな感じだと思っていました。I thought it was something like that.This sentence is useful for expressing that you thought something was something like that using そんな感じ.Tatoeba #2354356 by wakatyann630, translation #1961367 by CK
- 彼女はそのような感じで話しているけど、実際には違うよ。She seems to be talking in that manner, but in reality, it's different.
- あの映画、結構おもしろかったよ！そんな感じ。That movie was quite interesting! Something like that.
- 今日はなんかそんな感じでした。Today had that sort of vibe.
- そんな感じであれば、大丈夫です。sonna kanji de areba, daijoubu desu.If it is something like that, it is fine.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are discussing the design of a new poster.
- 美咲 Misakiこんなデザインがいいですか？konna dezain ga ii desu ka?Is this kind of design good?
- 蓮 Renはい、そんな感じです。hai, sonna kanji desu.Yes, it's something like that.
- 美咲 Misakiもっと明るい色にしますね。motto akarui iro ni shimasu ne.I will make it a brighter color, then.
- 蓮 Renよろしくお願いします。yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Please do (thank you).
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
