How to Say ‘Oh, I see / Is that so?’ in Japanese
そうですか
sou desu ka
[soh dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: [そうですか] is often just a neutral reaction like "I see" or "oh really," not necessarily agreement. In a dispute, someone may say it while still thinking or preparing to push back.
Phrase Breakdown
そう
sou
[soh]
so; I see
Refers to what the other person has said; often means “I see.”
そうですか、と返事をしました。
I replied, “I see.”
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite ending
Polite copula used in many set phrases like そうですか.
そうですか、と丁寧に答えました。
I politely answered, “I see.”
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Here it gives a questioning or confirming nuance: “Is that so?”
そうですか、と確認しました。
I said, “Is that so?” to confirm.
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