Souka,Sokka (そうか,そっか)
Meaning: I see, Is that so?
Romaji: Souka,Sokka
Hiragana: そうか,そっか
Katakana: ソウカ,ソッカ
Kanji: –
Souka is often used to say Aizuchi, indicating the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. And also, Souka is used as hiragana, not katakana, when writing sentences.
Souka and Sokka have the same meaning, but Sokka is a more casual phrase. Therefore, it would be best if you said Sokka(そっか) when talking to friends.
When speaking to native speakers, we say more Sokkaa(そっかあ). And Souka gives a slightly cold impression.
Souka also means “Is that so?” when used in interrogative sentences. Sokka doesn’t make sense in interrogative sentences.
・このドレス可愛くない？
そうか？？
Kono doresu kawaikunai?
Souka?
Isn’t this dress cute?
Is that so?
Souka is used in the example above, but it gives a cold impression and probably makes women hate you.
Therefore, it is better to say Soukana with Kana added!
Soudesuka（そうですか）,Soussuka（そうっすか）
Soudesuka is a polite expression of Souka and is used for older people and business situations.
Even in the business scene or with an older person, when the relationship is close, “Soussuka” is used only for men and is often used by young people in their 20s and 30s.
I don’t hear Japanese learners say “Soussuka” very often, so I think Japanese people would be surprised if you used it.
Women don’t say “Soussuka,” and when they say it, it sounds like a man, and sometimes women say it on purpose.
・今日の打ち合わせに行けなくなってしまい、すいません！
そうですか、では、明日はいかがでしょうか？
Kyouno uchiawase ni ikenaku natteshimai suimasen!
Soudesuka,dewa ashita wa ikagadesyouka?
I’m sorry I can’t go to the meeting today!
Okay, so how about tomorrow?
・あ、間違えてメール送っちゃった！
そうっすか！大丈夫大丈夫！
A machigaete mail okucchatta!
Soussuka!daijoubu daijoubu1
Oops, I sent you an email by mistake!
No worry! It’s okay!
Souka souka!(そうか そうか！),Sokka Sokka! （そっかそっか！）
Sokka sokka is just repeating Sokka twice, and the meaning is the same as Sokka, and it is also used in daily conversation.
As I said, Sokka is more casual than Souka, so Sokka sokka is likewise used between friends. When using Souka Souka in the example below, there is an image that a teacher or parent is saying to a student.
On the other hand, when friends say Souka Souka, they tend to look down on us a little, and sometimes it’s ironic.
・今日私、テストで100点とったよ～!
そうかそうかよくやったね!
Kyou watashi tesuto de 100ten tottayo!
Souka souka yokuyattane!
I got a perfect score on my test today.
Yeah yeah, well done.
Yappari Souka!（やっぱり そうか！）
Yappari Souka means “I knew it!” in English, which is often used in situations where the result is the same as you somehow felt or the ending is as expected.
・最近、彼氏が浮気しているかも。。
やっぱりそうか！この前、彼と女が遊んでいるところ見たよ！
Saikin kareshi ga uwaki shiteirukamo
Yappari souka! konomae kare to onnaga asondeirutoko mitayo!
My boyfriend may have been cheating on me lately.
I knew it! I saw him playing with her the other day!
Soukaa（そうかぁ）Soukai（そうかい）
Soukaa and Soukai have the same meaning as Souka and are casual phrases.
Adding one sound (A and I) to the three sounds of So-U-Ka creates a casual and gentle image.
If you know how to use these, you will sound quite like a native speaker, and I think they will feel a sense of familiarity, so please try using them!
・ついに任天堂switchを買ったんだ！
そうかい！ よかったね！
Tsuini Nintendo switch wo kattanda!
Soukai! Yokattane!
I finally bought a Nintendo Switch!
Soukai, Good for you!
