# 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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V (casual)</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">い-Adj</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">な-Adj + な</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N + の</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ ようだ</p>
</div>

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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V (casual)</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N + の</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ [ように + V] ・ [ような + N]</p>
</div>

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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V (casual)</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ みたいに + V / Adj</p>
</div>

The adverbial form.

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

### みたいな

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V (casual)</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ みたいな + N</p>
</div>

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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V <strike>ます</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">い-Adj <strike>い</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ っぽい</p>
</div>

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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V <strike>ます</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">い-Adj <strike>い</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">な-Adj + だ</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ そうだ</p>
</div>

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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V <strike>ます</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">い-Adj <strike>い</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">な-Adj + だ</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ 「そうに・そうな」 + N・V</p>
</div>

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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V <strike>ます</strike></span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ 気味</p>
</div>

{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

<div class="usage">
<div class="left">
	<p><span class="box">V (て)</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">V (casual) + ように</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">い-Adj + <strike>い</strike>く</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">な-Adj + に</span></p>
	<p><span class="box">N + (のよう) + に</span></p>
</div>
	<p class="right">+ 見える</p>
</div>

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.