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How to Say ‘That's right, his doctor told him to.’ in Japanese

そうなのよ、お医者さんに言われてね。

sou na no yo o isha san ni iwa re te ne

[soh nah noh yoh o ee-SHAH san nee ee-WAH re te ne]

Phrase Breakdown

そうなのよ、

sou na no yo

That's right, you know

A friendly way to agree. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

そうなのよ、忙しくて。

That's right, I've been busy.

Words in this phrase

そう

sou

[soh]

that way; so

Refers to what was just said by the other person.

Example

そう言っていただけて安心しました。

Hearing you say that made me feel relieved.

な

[nah]

(copula before の)

Form of だ used before explanatory の.

Example

本当なの？

Is it true?

の

[noh]

explanatory particle

A soft explanatory の used to make the sentence sound more natural and polite.

Example

来週の土曜日に予約をお願いしたいのですが。

I would like to make a reservation for next Saturday.

よ

[yoh]

you know; emphasis

A sentence-ending particle adding emphasis, assurance, or informing the listener.

Example

大丈夫だよ。

It is okay, you know.

お医者さんに

o isha san ni

by the doctor

Marks the doctor as the person who gave the advice. Remember the short っ pause.

Example

お医者さんに相談した。

I consulted the doctor.

Words in this phrase

お

[o]

polite prefix

A prefix added to words to show respect.

Example

お邪魔します、おじゃまします。

Excuse me for disturbing.

医者

isha

[ee-SHAH]

doctor

Common word for a medical doctor.

Example

医者に行きました。

I went to the doctor.

さん

san

[san]

Mr.; Ms.; polite suffix

A polite suffix added to a person's name or role.

Example

お医者さんが来ました。

The doctor came.

に

[nee]

by (agent of passive)

Marks who performs the action in a passive sentence.

Example

先生にほめられた。

I was praised by the teacher.

言われてね。

iwa re te ne

I was told, you see

A passive verb plus a soft ね to explain the reason.

Example

母に言われてね。

My mother told me, you see.

Words in this phrase

言わ

iwa

[ee-WAH]

say (stem for passive)

Stem of 言う used before the passive ending.

Example

母に言われました。

I was told by my mother.

れ

[re]

passive form

A grammatical form used to express a passive voice action.

Example

自転車が壊された。

The bicycle was broken.

て

[te]

te-form ending

Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.

Example

ドアが開いて、入ります。

The door opens, and then I go in.

ね

[ne]

isn't it; right

A sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement or add a friendly tone.

Example

深煎りですね。

It’s a dark roast, right?

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