6.8 KiB
Observation & description
がる・がっている
い-Adj い
な-Adj
+ がる ・ がっている
This transforms adjective into verbs, and means "to show signs of", "to appear like". Can be conjugated: がっている means to currently show signs, がていた means to have shown signs.
[!info] Example {彼女|かのじょ}は虫を{怖|ごわ}==がる==。 She seems afraid of insects.
がり
い-Adj い
な-Adj
+ がり
Expresses a personality trait (tendency to, sensitivity towards).
[!info] Example {彼|かれ}はを{怖|ごわ}==がり==。 He has a tendency of being scared.
Looks 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 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.
[!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 (casual)
い-Adj
な-Adj + だ
N + だ
+ そうだ
Means "I heard that".
V ます
い-Adj い
な-Adj + だ
+ そうだ
Means that it looks like.
[!info] Examples テストは{難|むず}しい==だそうだ==。 The exam is said to be difficult.
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.
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.
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.
I heard that...
と言われている
Used for something you heard by someone identifiable: for example, you were told by someone. For nouns, だ is placed before.
[!info] Example このレストランのカレーはおいしいだ==と言われています==。 The curry of this restaurant is good (someone told me).
と聞いた
Used when you heard something, but not from someone specifically identifiable: general knowledge, a rumour, etc.
[!info] Example 彼はバカ==と聞いた==。 They say he's an idiot (I've heard that he's an idiot).