~ようだ
〜you da
JLPT N4 Neutral
Formation
Verb-て form + ようだ, い-Adjective (drop い) + ようだ, な-Adjective + のようだ, Noun + のようだ
Expresses appearance, similarity or inference; 'it seems', 'it looks like', 'it appears'.
When to use
Inference from one's own senses/observation - "it looks like/it seems (based on what I see)".
Explanation
The ~ようだ grammar point is used to express appearance, similarity or inference about a situation or action. It can be translated as 'it seems', 'it looks like', or 'it appears' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.
Example sentences
Inference (It Seems / Probably)
- ~だろう〜darouN4Express probability, likelihood or certainty; 'probably'…
- ~らしい〜rashiiN3Expresses hearsay; 'I heard', 'it seems', 'apparently'.
- ~ということだ〜to iu koto daN3Express a conclusion or hearsay; 'I heard', 'it means'…
- ~んだって〜n datteN3Conveys information heard from someone else; 'I heard'…
- ~かもしれない〜kamoshirenaiN4Express uncertainty; 'maybe', 'might', 'possibly'.
- もしかすると〜かもしれないmoshikasuru to 〜kamoshirenaiN3Express the possibility of something; 'maybe', 'perhaps'…
- ~とのことだ〜to no koto daN1Expresses something that the speaker heard; 'I've heard…
- ~とみえて〜to mieteN1It seems that; apparently
- ~まい〜maiN2Express a negative conjecture or determination; 'probably…
- ~そうだ〜sou daN4Express the appearance, seeming, or feeling of something…
- ~に決まっている〜ni kimatte iruN2Express certainty; 'it is obvious', 'it must be', 'no…
Corpus examples (60)
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You seem to be insensible of their good intentions.
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To all appearance his statement was true.
誰もが能率を上げるよう努力するが、ほとんどの人がそうできないようだ。
Everyone strives for efficiency but few seem to attain it.
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Your opinion sounds like a good idea.
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There doesn't seem any difference of meaning between the two constructions.
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It seems as if you are the first one here.
しかし今は、一目見て、サメがその人にくらいつくのは避けられないようだということに気づかずにはいられない。
However, I can't help noticing, at this moment, that at first glance it seems inevitable that the shark will devour the man.
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It looks like rain tomorrow, but I'll try my best.
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I'm afraid it'll rain tonight.
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I'm afraid it will rain tomorrow.
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I'm afraid it'll rain tomorrow.
雨雲のようだね。
Those look like rain clouds.
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It feels like a dream to be able to meet with the queen.
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Seen from a distance, the hill looks like an elephant.
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Tom can't seem to keep out of trouble.
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It looks like the dog wants something to eat.
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He seems to know nothing about the matter.
その果物は、形はオレンジに似ていて、味はパイナップルのようだ。
The fruit is similar to an orange in shape and to a pineapple in taste.
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When I look back upon those days, it all seems like a dream.
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For the economy as a whole, recovery seems still far away.
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It's hard to believe it was so clear and sunny up to just now.
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They seem determined to press forward with their program of reform.
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Judging from her appearance, she seems to be very rich.
ある調査によると、今日では5人中3人が外交問題には無関心のようだ。
According to a survey, three in five people today are indifferent to foreign affairs.
彼女にとって、新しい学校でうまくやっていくのは難しいようだ。
It seems to be difficult for her to get along with students in the new school.