# Observation: looking like

## よう

Means that it looks like. Used from direct knowledge or experience, with a high degree of confidence.

It has two meanings:
* Looks like something: visual observation. Similar to みたい, but more polite.
* Perhaps it is. Might be something else, but it look like it is.

Contrary to そう, focuses on the more logical aspect of things.

### 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.

## そう

Contrary to よう, focuses on a more subjective feeling.

### 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.

## みたい

みたい means similar to, like. Used for direct observation, with a high degree of certainty in consequence. Usually used for visual observation.
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.

## らしい

Expresses an information based on hearsay, or based on the situation, or ressemblance. This is always used based on a source that is unknown or ambiguous. It can be similar to a guess. Similar to the "perhaps" meaning of ようだ.
Also used for something typical, expected, characteristic.

> [!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.

## 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, with a focus on attitude or gesture.

> [!info] Examples
> {子供|こ|ども}==っぽい==。
> Childish.
> 
> {忘|わす}れ==っぽい==。
> Easy to forget.

## 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 sign of. It talks about a condition (tiredness, sickness, lateness, etc).

> [!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 up

* ==ようだ== is a formal way to say that it looks like, usually from direct observation. Used for logical assumptions.
* ==そうだ== is used for things that are on the more subjective side.
* ==みたい== is a less formal way, used in a casual conversation. Focused on visual information.
* ==っぽい== is even more casual. Usually used for attitude or gesture.
* ==らしい== is usually used when something is typical or expected.
* ==気味== is used for condition (tiredness, sickness, lateness, etc).

## 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.