English–German

“something like that” in German

German

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzoːvas/

Example

Ich habe sowas noch nie gesehen.

I've never seen anything like that before.

Illustration for sowas (something like that)

How to say “something like that” in German

“Something like that” in German is sowas.

A speaker gestures toward an unspecified thing, leaving its exact identity deliberately blurred.

Full entry for sowas: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with sowas

Ich würde jemandem sowas niemals sagen.

I would never say something like that to anyone.

Tips for using sowas

  • Sowas is common in speech and casual writing, while so etwas is the safer form in formal writing.

“something like that” in other languages