よう

よう
noun
appearance, manner; like, as if
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)
general
Added 2026.1.7 21:34 · Revised 2026.3.26 18:48
01000/01114_you