means "that kind of", "like that", and goes straight before a noun. It points back at something the other person has said, or something just mentioned.
- – this kind of; what I have or am about to describe
- – that kind of; what you said or what was just mentioned
- – that kind of; something we both know, away from us
- – what kind of
。
I've never heard anything like that.
。
You should stop doing that kind of thing.
、。
That's just the kind of person he is, so don't let it bother you.
そういう or その
points at one thing: "that film". そういう describes a kind: "a film like that".
。
I've never seen that film.
。
I've never seen a film like that.
そういう or そんな
Both mean "that kind of". often carries surprise or a complaint, and it pushes back at what the other person said. そういう is neutral.
。
That's one way to see it, too.
、。
I never said anything like that!
Usage notes
These go beyond そういう before a noun.
そういうことか
sums up what has just been explained. With か or ね it says you have understood.
、。。
Oh, so that's it. Now I get it.
そういった and そういうふうに
means the same as そういう and sounds more formal.
is "in that way", before a verb.
。
It's awkward when you put it that way.
In casual writing, you also see the spelling そうゆう.
Lingaku