5.8 KiB
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
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.
そう
Contrary to よう, focuses on a more subjective feeling.
そうだ
V ます
い-Adj い
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 い
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.
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
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.
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
V ます
い-Adj い
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, 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
V ます
N
+ 気味
{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
V (て)
V (casual) + ように
い-Adj + いく
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.