JLPT N3 grammar

~によると … ~そうだ — Meaning & Examples

"According to [source], (I hear) ~." The standard way to report news. ~によれば is the formal variant.

~によると … ~そうだ — "According to ~"

Pair a source with a hearsay ending to report cleanly.

Pattern: [source] によると、[plain form] そうだ

ニュースに よると、あした たいふうが くる そうだ。
— According to the news, a typhoon is coming tomorrow.

天気予報に よると、あさっては はれる そうです。
— According to the forecast, it'll be sunny the day after.

Also: ~によれば is a slightly more formal variant of ~によると.

Practise ~によると … ~そうだ in the free app

This point is part of the “Reporting and Hearsay Patterns” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.

Free on iPhone and Android · No ads

Related N3 grammar points

From the same lesson: Reporting and Hearsay Patterns

Frequently asked questions

What does ~によると … ~そうだ mean?

"According to [source], (I hear) ~." The standard way to report news. ~によれば is the formal variant.

Is ~によると … ~そうだ on the JLPT N3 test?

~によると … ~そうだ is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Reporting and Hearsay Patterns”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.

How can I practise ~によると … ~そうだ?

Open the “Reporting and Hearsay Patterns” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N3 mock exams, with no ads.

More free Japanese study guides