そうすると

そうすると is a conjunction used at the beginning of a sentence to express that something happens as a natural result or consequence of the preceding action or situation. It connects two sentences, where the second describes what follows when the first condition is met. It can be translated as "having done that," "then," "if so," or "and then."

It is composed of そう (like that / in that way) + する (to do) + と (the conditional particle), literally meaning "when one does so" or "if one does that."

Indicating a natural consequence

When someone describes an action or situation, そうすると introduces what naturally follows as a result.

Responding in conversation

そうすると is also common in conversation to confirm understanding and draw a logical conclusion from what someone else has said.

Advancing a narrative

In storytelling or recounting events, そうすると is used to move the narrative forward by describing what happened next.

Related expressions

• すると has a very similar meaning and is often interchangeable, though すると tends to emphasize surprise or unexpectedness in the result, while そうすると more clearly refers back to the preceding action or situation.
• そうしたら is a more casual alternative with a similar meaning, often used in spoken Japanese.