GRAMMAR DETAIL
ようだ
Expresses an inference based on an observed situation or visible evidence.
Examples
空が急に暗くなり、雨が降るようだ。
The sky suddenly grew dark, and it looks like it is going to rain.
Words used
窓の外が明るい。もう雨はやんだようだ。
It is bright outside the window. It seems the rain has already stopped.
Words used
玄関に靴がないので、誰もいないようだ。
There are no shoes in the entryway, so it seems no one is home.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
ようだconnects to plain-form content to express a judgment inferred from observed circumstances. - Basic usage:
玄関に靴がないので、誰もいないようだ。infers that no one is inside from the lack of shoes in the entryway.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Noun and adjective connections
- A noun connects as in
留守のようだ, and a na-adjective as in静かなようだ. A verb connects directly in its plain form, as in寝ているようだ, so the preceding word determines the use ofのorな.
- A noun connects as in
- Inference and comparison
雪が降ったようだinfers that snow has fallen, whileこの綿は雪のようだcompares cotton to snow. Distinguish a judgment about an event from resemblance between things in the surrounding context.