よう

よう
noun
appearance, manner; like, as if
See also: らしい (also expresses conjecture), みたい (colloquial equivalent)
1. appearance, manner, way
Describes how something appears or the manner in which something is done.
雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るようだ。
It looks like it's going to rain.
Appearance/seeming usage
彼(かれ)は怒(おこ)っているようです。
It seems like he's angry.
Appearance/seeming usage with ようです
天気予報(てんきよほう)によると、明日(あした)は雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)るようです。
According to the weather forecast, it looks like it will snow tomorrow.
Appearance/seeming usage
2. like, as if, similar to
Used to make comparisons or indicate similarity.
夢(ゆめ)のようです。
It's like a dream.
～のよう = like ~
子供(こども)のように走(はし)り回(まわ)った。
I ran around like a child.
～のように = like ~, in the manner of ~
まるで映画(えいが)のような景色(けしき)だった。
The scenery was just like something out of a movie.
まるで～のような = just like ~
3. (in order) to, so that
Expresses purpose or aim when followed by に.
忘(わす)れないようにメモした。
I took notes so that I wouldn't forget.
～ないように = so as not to ~
分(わ)かるように説明(せつめい)してください。
Please explain so that I can understand.
～ように = so that ~
遅刻(ちこく)しないように、早(はや)めに家(いえ)を出(で)ました。
I left home early so that I wouldn't be late.
～ないように = so as not to ~

よう (sometimes written 様(よう)) is a grammatically versatile word with three main functions.

KEY PATTERNS:

  • ～のようだ/です: it seems like ~, it appears to be ~ (conjecture)
  • ～のような + noun: a ~ -like noun (comparison)
  • ～のように: like ~, in the manner of ~
  • ～ように: so that ~, in order to ~ (purpose)
  • ～ようにする: to make sure to ~, to try to ~
  • ～ようになる: to come to be able to ~, to reach a state where ~

USAGE NOTES:

  • まるで～のよう strengthens the comparison: "just like ~"
  • ～ないように expresses negative purpose: "so as not to ~"
  • ようだ expresses soft conjecture based on evidence, softer than らしい

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • よう: based on speaker's impression/evidence
  • らしい: based on hearsay or external information
  • みたい: casual equivalent of よう (more colloquial)

Related Words

Contrast: らしい (also expresses conjecture; based on hearsay rather than direct evidence)
Contrast: みたい (colloquial equivalent of ～のよう)
general
Added 2026.1.7 21:34 · Revised 2026.5.14 22:14
01000/01114_you