そう思う
sō omou
The Japanese phrase for "you think so" is そう思う (sō omou).
そう思う is used to express that someone holds a particular opinion or belief. Because the subject is often omitted in Japanese, this phrase can mean both "I think so" and "you think so" depending on the context of the conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of そう (so/in that way) and 思う (to think).
Which one should you use?
While そう思う is the standard form, そうかな is used to express doubt or disagreement, translating more closely to "I'm not so sure".
How do you pronounce it?
sō omou
Did you know?
- While 思う is used for opinions, the word 考える also means 'to think' but refers to the intellectual process of reasoning. If you use 考える in そう思う, you change the meaning from having a feeling to having logically analyzed the situation.
- If you say そう思う to a superior, it can sound dismissive or overly blunt because it lacks the necessary honorific verbs required for polite social hierarchies.
- While English speakers use 'you' to identify the subject, adding a person's name before そう思う is the standard way to specify that you are talking about 'you' rather than 'I'.
Examples in context
- そう思うかい？Do you think so?This sentence is useful for asking the question "Do you think so?" using the form そう思う.Tatoeba #213775 by small_snow, translation #51063 by CK
- なんでそう思うの？Why do you think so?Tatoeba #3590711 by tommy_san, translation #24655 by CK
- あなたもそう思うでしょう？You think so, too, don't you?This sentence is useful for the statement "You think so, too, don't you?" using the form そう思う.Tatoeba #11016909 by small_snow, translation #9177346 by CK
- そうお思いになりますか。それはおっしゃりになる価値があります。Do you think so? That is worth mentioning.
- そう思うよ。I think so.
- そうかな、私はちょっと違うと思うよ。I'm not so sure. I think it's a bit different.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 陽葵 Himariこの映画、最高だったね。Kono eiga, saikō datta ne.This movie was the best, wasn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、僕もそう思うよ。Un, boku mo sō omou yo.Yeah, I think so too.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔はストーリーが好きだった？Hiroto wa sutōrī ga suki datta?Did you like the story, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、すごく感動したよ。Un, sugoku kandō shita yo.Yeah, I was really moved.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
