How to say "such" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- pre-noun adjectivalThe 'that sort of' word: 'such' referring to something already mentioned or known to the listener, often with a feeling of surprise, denial or dismissal. Typical when rejecting what someone has just claimed.
- adverbMainly the adverb 'in that way; thus' — 'like that', 'so'. Its 'such' sense is adverbial, so it is seldom the word you want when 'such' modifies a noun; そんな, こんな, こういう or そういう fit there.
- pre-noun adjectivalThe 'this sort of' word: 'such' for something close at hand or in the speaker's mind, often with surprise or exasperation. Typical when reacting to the very thing in front of you.
- pre-noun adjectivalCovers 'such' meaning 'this kind of', typically when the speaker introduces, defines or asks about a type of thing at hand, in a neutral, matter-of-fact way.
- pre-noun adjectivalUse it for 'such' referring back to a kind of thing already mentioned or mutually known: 'that sort of', 'such as you describe'. Less emotionally colored than そんな.そういうことは口にするな。↗Don't talk about such a thing.
Choose by distance and by whether 'such' modifies a noun: 「こんな」 and 「こういう」 mean 'this kind of' near the speaker, 「そんな」 and 「そういう」 'that kind of' already mentioned, while 「そう」 is the adverb 'in that way, thus'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- そんなsuch
- そうin that way
- こんなthis sort of
- こういうsuch
- そういうsuch
- そうしたsuch
- あんなthat sort of
- そのようthat kind of
- かくlike this
- かかるsuch
- こうしたsuch
- あのようsuch
- そがなsuch
- んなsuch (about the actions of the listener, or about ideas expressed or understood by the listener)
- 這般しゃはんthese
- かようthis sort of
- こないthis kind of
- そないthat kind of
- こねーなthis sort of
- あないthat sort of
See also
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