Understanding 'Sou Omoimasu' Vs. 'Sou Da To Omoimasu'

そう思います [Sou Omoimasu] vs. そうだと思います[Sou Da to Omoimasu]

(Joy enthusiastically agreeing with a friend [Sou omoimasu] vs. Ken logically guessing a fact about the weather [Sou da to omoimasu])

“This cake is delicious!” -> “Sou omoimasu!”
“Is the meeting tomorrow?” -> “Sou da to omoimasu.”
If you translate both of these replies into English, they both mean “I think so.” But in Japanese, そう思います (Sou omoimasu) and そうだと思います (Sou da to omoimasu) have completely different uses! Are you agreeing with a feeling, or are you guessing a fact? Let’s fix this common N4 mistake with Joy and Ken!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy and Ken are talking about a new teacher who just joined JPLT Online School.

Joy

新しい先生は、とても優しいですね！
それと、あの先生は東京出身（しゅっしん）ですか？
(The new teacher is very kind, isn’t she! Also, is she from Tokyo?)

Ken

はい、私もそう思います（＝優しいですね）。
出身は…たぶん、そうだと思います（＝東京出身でしょう）。
(Yes, I “sou omoimasu” [agree she is kind]. As for her hometown… probably, “sou da to omoimasu” [I guess that’s the case].)

💡 Explanation

Agreement vs. Guessing

1. そう思います = I agree / I feel the same way 🤝

Use: When responding to someone’s OPINION or FEELING.
The word そう (sou) refers to the opinion the other person just stated. You are saying, “I think [the exact same thing you just said].” It shows empathy and agreement.

A: 日本語の勉強は楽しいですね！
B: 私もそう思います。
(A: Studying Japanese is fun! / B: I think so too. *Sharing the same feeling*)

2. そうだと思います = I guess that is true 🧐

Use: When responding to a FACTUAL QUESTION.
The word だ (da) is the plain form of です (is/am/are). So, “Sou da” means “It *is* that way.” You are saying, “I guess that [fact] is the case.” You use this when someone asks you a yes/no question about a fact, and you are pretty sure the answer is yes, but you don’t know 100%.

A: 田中さんは、明日休みですか？
B: はい、たぶんそうだと思います。
(A: Is Tanaka-san off tomorrow? / B: Yes, I think that is the case. *Guessing a fact*)

📊 Comparison Table

Phrase	Function	Responding to…
そう思います (Sou omoimasu)	Agreement (I think so too / I agree)	Opinions, feelings, evaluations (e.g., “It’s expensive”, “She’s cute”)
そうだと思います (Sou da to omoimasu)	Guessing (I think it is / Probably yes)	Factual Questions (e.g., “Is it raining?”, “Is it open?”)

🚧 The Unnatural Empathy Trap!

If someone asks you a simple question about a fact, do not use “Sou omoimasu” to reply!

Ken: Is this train going to Shinjuku? (この電車は新宿に行きますか？)

❌ Wrong: はい、そう思います。
(Nuance: “Yes, my personal opinion and emotional feeling is that it goes to Shinjuku.” …Ken will think you are weird!)

✅ Right: はい、そうだと思います。
(Nuance: “Yes, I believe that is the factual case.”)

🔥 Practice Quiz

Tap to check the answer!

Q1. A: “This movie is really boring, isn’t it?”
How do you reply “Yeah, I think so too”?
(A: Sou omoimasu / B: Sou da to omoimasu)

Answer: A (Sou omoimasu)
You are agreeing with their subjective opinion (boring).

Q2. A: “Does this bus go to the airport?”
How do you reply “I think so”?
(A: Sou omoimasu / B: Sou da to omoimasu)

Answer: B (Sou da to omoimasu)
You are guessing the answer to an objective, factual question.

Q3. A: “Is Ken-san Japanese?”
How do you reply “I think he is”?
(A: Sou omoimasu / B: Sou da to omoimasu)

Answer: B (Sou da to omoimasu)
Nationality is an objective fact, not an opinion.

Keep practicing with JPLT!

Understanding “そう思います” [Sou Omoimasu] vs. “そうだと思います”[Sou Da to Omoimasu]