How do you say "I see / Is that so?" in Japanese?

"I see / Is that so?" in Japanese is "そうなんですね。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘I see / Is that so?’ in Japanese

Q: What does "そうなんですね。" mean in English?

"そうなんですね。" means "I see / Is that so?" in English. Usage tip: [そうなんですね] is a set phrase for reacting to new information: "Oh, I see" or "Is that so." The [ん] softens it and makes it sound like you're taking in what the other person said, not just repeating [そうです].

そうなんですね。

sou na n desu ne

[soh nah n dess neh]

💬 Usage Tip: [そうなんですね] is a set phrase for reacting to new information: "Oh, I see" or "Is that so." The [ん] softens it and makes it sound like you're taking in what the other person said, not just repeating [そうです].

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a very common backchannel in conversation when someone tells you about their work, studies, or background. It shows polite interest without sounding too strong or overly emotional.

Phrase Breakdown

そう

sou

[soh]

so; that way; (I see,) right

Used to agree or confirm what the other person said, like “I see/That’s so.” Often followed by なんですね to show understanding.

Example

そうなんですね。お仕事は日本でしていますか。

I see. Do you work in Japan?

な

[nah]

copula modifier (na) used before nouns/adjectival nouns

This な is part of なん (＝なの + ん). It links the meaning “it is/that is” into the explanatory tone.

Example

そうなんですね。学生なんですか。

I see. Are you a student?

ん

[n]

explanatory “n” (part of ん/の)

The ん adds an explanatory/softening tone: “it’s that…, you know…”. Common in conversation (なんです, なんですね).

Example

そうなんですね。わたしも会社員なんです。

I see. I’m also an office worker.

です

desu

[dess]

to be (polite); is/are

Polite form of the copula “to be.” Used to make polite statements in self-introductions.

Example

そうなんですね。わたしは学生です。

I see. I’m a student.

ね

[neh]

sentence-ending particle: right?/isn’t it?/you know

ね seeks agreement or shows empathy/understanding. In そうなんですね it means “I see, huh / I see, right.”

Example

そうなんですね。大変ですね。

I see. That sounds tough, doesn’t it?

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