そう

Etymology 1
→ →

Adverb

 * 1) so, like that, in such a way, such

Interjection

 * 1) yes, yeah; it's like that; that's how it is; I see. (interjection to show that the speaker is paying attention)

Etymology 2
→ →

Probably either a shift from, or directly from. Appears from the.

Possibly influenced by, or developed by analogy to, the adverbial and interjectional sō.

Pronunciation

 * In Tokyo accent, the accent of the verb construction depends on the suffixed verb:

Suffix

 * 1) seem, seem like, appear
 * 2)  apparently, heard that

Usage notes
This productive suffix meaning “seeming like” can come after a full phrase in plain form, or after a verb or adjective stem, thereby forming a -na adjective.


 * After a full phrase in plain form, the resulting phrase implies reported speech, something heard from someone else. For example, the verb plus this suffix forms . The adjective  plus this suffix forms.


 * After a verb or adjective stem, the resulting word means “it looks like X”. For example, the stem of the verb  plus this suffix forms . The stem  of the adjective  plus this suffix forms . However,  +  becomes  and  +  becomes.

The suffix should not be used after stem forms describing visually obvious physical traits like color. Although would be valid,  would not. Another example of this is that means someone looks cute so it does not need another. ( does exist, but means “pitiful” or “poor”.) The suffix should, however, be used when describing another person's mood or mental state. For example, if another person looks glad, one says, which is more natural and polite than saying.

This word is morphologically a clitic after a phrase in plain form, and an inflectional suffix after a verb or adjective stem. It is classified as a in traditional Japanese grammar.

Etymology 3
Various.

Adjective

 * 1)  vibrant, manly, brave

Counter

 * 1)  pairs
 * 2)  floors in a building
 * 3)  small boats
 * 1)  small boats

Prefix

 * 1)  gross, general

Proper noun

 * 1)  Song
 * 1)  Song
 * 1)  Song

Suffix

 * 1)  race, run

Verb

 * 1)  to accompany; to comply with
 * 2)  to follow; to run along
 * 3)   be, do