それはそう

• Reading: それはそう
• Romaji: sore wa sō
• Pronunciation: /so.ɾe wa soː/

Meaning

That's true though — a deadpan concession acknowledging someone's point is valid, often used when you can't argue back even if you want to.

それはそう is composed of completely ordinary Japanese words (それ = that, は = topic marker, そう = so/true), but its meme-like usage as a standalone reaction phrase gives it a distinct flavour. It conveys reluctant agreement — the speaker recognises the logic is sound but may not be happy about it. Online, it functions like a verbal shrug: you have no counterargument, so you concede with minimal effort. The flat, deadpan delivery is essential to the humour.

Examples

1. 「寝なきゃ肌荒れるよ」「それはそう」 If you don't sleep, your skin's gonna break out.' 'That's true though.
2. 金がないなら働けって言われたけど、それはそうなんだよな。 Someone told me if I'm broke I should just get a job, and I mean... that's true though.
3. 「推しに会いたいならイベント行けば？」「それはそう」 If you wanna meet your fave, just go to the event?' 'That's true though.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, social media, casual conversation, internet culture

Tone: deadpan, conceding, slightly reluctant

Do Say

• 「ダイエット中にケーキ食べるのはダメでしょ」「それはそう」 ('Eating cake while dieting is bad, right?' 'That's true though.')
• 怒られて「次から気をつけて」って言われた。それはそう。 (I got told off with 'Be careful next time.' I mean, that's true though.)

Don't Say

• 目上の人への返答としては素っ気なさすぎる (As a reply to a superior — it sounds curt and dismissive)

Common Mistakes

• Adding too many words after it — the power of それはそう is in its brevity as a standalone response
• Using it sincerely in formal conversation where a fuller acknowledgement is expected

Origin & History

A natural Japanese phrase that gained meme status on Twitter and internet forums in the late 2010s. Its power comes from the deadpan brevity — a minimal, undefeatable concession to someone else's logic.

Cultural Context

Era: Late 2010s meme adoption

Generation: Teens to 30s (internet-savvy)

Social background: Universal informal, meme-adjacent

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Extremely common on Twitter/X as a quote-tweet reaction.