# Observation - Looking like ## よう Means that it looks like. Used from direct knowledge or experience, with a high degree of confidence. It is a more polite form of みたい. ### ようだ

V (casual)

い-Adj

な-Adj + な

N + の

+ ようだ

Means that it looks like, appears like, seems like. > [!info] Example > {子供|こども}が{嬉|うれ}しい==ようだ==。 > The kids look happy (= I can see them laughing and smiling). ### ように・ような

V (casual)

N + の

+ [ように + V] ・ [ような + N]

Expresses "in the manner of". > [!info] Examples > {新幹線|しんかんせん}の==ような=={速度|そく|ど}。 > Speed like a Shinkansen. > > アヒルの==ように==食べる。 > To eat like a duck. ## みたい みたい means similar to, like. Used for direct observation, with a high degree of certainty in consequence. It is a less polite form of ようだ. ### みたいだ The basic form, used with all forms of words. > [!info] Example > 今日は暑いですね。夏==みたいだ==な。 > It's hot today, isn't it. It looks like it's summer. ### みたいに

V (casual)

N

+ みたいに + V / Adj

The adverbial form. > [!info] Example > 犬==みたいに==食べた。 > I ate like a dog. ### みたいな

V (casual)

N

+ みたいな + N

Similar to the precedent form, but when using with nouns. > [!info] Example > {故郷|ふる|さと}==みたいな==町だ。 > A city like my hometown. ## っぽい

V ます

い-Adj

N

+ っぽい

This has the meaning of like, easy to, _-ish_. Makes a direct comparison with certainty, from the point of view of the person saying it. Close to an even more casual meaning of みたい. > [!info] Examples > {子供|こ|ども}==っぽい==。 > Childish. > > {忘|わす}れ==っぽい==。 > Easy to forget. ## らしい Expresses an information based on hearsay, or based on the situation, or ressemblance. This is always used bases on a source that is unknown or ambiguous. It can be similar to a guess. Also used for something typical. > [!info] Examples > 男==らしい==。 > Typical of a man (befitting of a man). > > 今日は{君|きみ}==らしくない==。 > You aren't yourself today. ## そう ### そうだ

V ます

い-Adj

な-Adj + だ

+ そうだ

Means that it looks like. Do not confuse with [[Observation - hearsay#そうだ]]. > [!info] Examples > おいし==そうだ==。 > lt looks like it is delicious. ### そうに・そうな

V ます

い-Adj

な-Adj + だ

+ 「そうに・そうな」 + N・V

Also means that it looks like, but connecting to nouns and verbs. > [!info] Example > 面白==そうに==人です。 > He seems like an interesting person. ## 気味

V ます

N

+ 気味

{気味|ぎみ} means that it shows weak sign of. Translates to "looks a little like". > [!info] Example > 今日、{君|きみ}はちょっと{病気|びょうき}==気味==です。 > You look a bit sick today. ## Summing it up 🛠 To do: check validity. * ==ようだ== is a formal way to say that it looks like, usually from direct observation. * ==みたい== is a less formal way, used in a casual conversation. * ==っぽい== is even more casual. A girl trying to be masculine would be 男っぽい. * ==らしい== is usually used when something is typical or expected. The same girl wouldn't be either 女らしい or 男っぽい because it's not what is expected from her. * ==そうだ== is used for something that is hearsay or not directly observation, more as a guess. * ==気味== is used for something that looks a little bit like. ## に見える

V (て)

V (casual) + ように

い-Adj +

な-Adj + に

N + (のよう) + に

+ 見える

This is used (unlike other forms that can apply to abstract similarities) exclusively for visual resemblance. > [!info] Example > {彼女|かのじょ}はフランス人==に見える==。 > She looks like she is French.