そう when used with past tense of a verb


There are 2 variants of そう. First variant, adds a "looks like/ feels like/
seems like" flavour whereas the second variant adds a "heard from" flavour or
hearsay if you like (伝聞).

The question is, when appending そう to the past tense of a verb, it is always
the second variant (hearsay). For example:

足を折ったそう - (I heard he) broke his leg

How then, would I say it looks like he broke his leg (just a gut feeling)?




> The question is, when appending そう to the past tense of a verb, it is always
> the first variant (feels like). For example:
>
> 足を折ったそう - It looks like he broke his leg (maybe because of his limping)

No, it is never that one. The looks one follows an adjective without the i,
and the i form of the verb: 美味しそう = looks delicious, 彼なら作りそう = "someone like
him should be able to make it". If it's after the past tense it's the hearsay
one. "彼が作ったそうです" = "supposedly he made it".

> How then, would I say I heard he broke his leg (伝聞 / hearsay)? Would adding
> a だ at the end do the trick in turning it into hearsay?

You've already arrived at your destination.

