having done that; if that is done (そうすると) – Japanese Grammar そうすると (sou suru to)

Q: What JLPT level is そうすると?

JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Q: How do you use そうすると in a sentence?

Attach そうすると to the appropriate verb or noun form. Having done that; if that is done

Q: Is そうすると formal or casual Japanese?

そうすると is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

そうすると

N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

sou suru to

having done that; if that is done

と考えられる to kangaerareru あるいは aruiwa に加えて ni kuwaete ねばならない neba naranai につけ ni tsuke せいか sei ka 上は ue wa 直ちに tadachi ni だって datte それなら sore nara ことだ koto da もう少しで mou sukoshi de をめぐって o megutte だけのことはある dake no koto wa aru どうやら dou yara から見ると kara miru to ことに koto ni に相違ない ni soui nai ものの monono 抜きにして nuki ni shite と考えられる to kangaerareru あるいは aruiwa に加えて ni kuwaete ねばならない neba naranai につけ ni tsuke せいか sei ka 上は ue wa 直ちに tadachi ni だって datte それなら sore nara ことだ koto da もう少しで mou sukoshi de をめぐって o megutte だけのことはある dake no koto wa aru どうやら dou yara から見ると kara miru to ことに koto ni に相違ない ni soui nai ものの monono 抜きにして nuki ni shite

🃏 Flashcard

そうすると

sou suru to

Tap to reveal usage

having done that; if that is done

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N2

Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Reading sou suru to

Post ID 51140

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

having done that; if that is done

📖 How to use it

Says 'if you do that' or 'having done that', linking a condition or action to its natural result.

Attaches to No attachment. Used as a sentence-initial conjunction, often after a statement describing an action or situation.

This is a conjunction that connects two sentences. After you describe an action or situation in the first sentence, you start the second with そうすると to say what happens as a result or what you should do next. It carries a nuance of 'if that is done' or 'once that happens', and the result is often a natural consequence or a logical next step.

In conversation, it can also be used to say 'and then' when narrating a sequence of events, but it's slightly more logical than simple そして. It frequently appears in explanations, instructions, and storytelling. In writing, it's common in both formal and informal texts, but in speech it's natural too, so you can use it without worry.

Be careful not to overuse it in casual chat; it can sound a bit explanatory. Also, it's not the same as そうすると as a condition ('if you do that') vs そうしたら which is more colloquial and common in everyday conversation for the same meaning.

このボタンを押すと、電気がつきます。そうすると、部屋が明るくなります。

Kono botan o osu to, denki ga tsukimasu. Sou suru to, heya ga akaruku narimasu.

If you press this button, the light comes on. Then the room gets bright.

朝早く起きて散歩した。そうすると、気持ちがすっきりした。

Asa hayaku okite sanpo shita. Sou suru to, kimochi ga sukkiri shita.

I got up early and took a walk. That made me feel refreshed.

まず、材料を全部切ります。そうすると、あとは炒めるだけです。

Mazu, zairyou o zenbu kirimasu. Sou suru to, ato wa itameru dake desu.

First, cut all the ingredients. Once you do that, all that's left is to stir-fry.

Not そうしたらそうしたら is more casual and often used in everyday conversation for 'if you do that' or 'and then'. そうすると is a bit more formal and logical, often used in explanations or when stating a natural consequence.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

そうすると

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat そうすると three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using そうすると. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns

finally; after; following; at the end

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern そうすると mean? ▼

Having done that; if that is done

What JLPT level is そうすると? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use そうすると in a sentence? ▼

Attach そうすると (sou suru to) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is そうすると formal or casual Japanese? ▼

そうすると is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember そうすると long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.