(ようたい)

ようたい
noun
state; condition; manner; mode
1. state; condition (especially medical)
The observable state or condition of something, most commonly a patient's medical condition. In clinical and news contexts, often used in phrases describing how someone is doing after injury or illness.
患者(かんじゃ)様態(ようたい)悪化(あっか)した。
The patient's condition worsened.
意識(いしき)はあるが様態(ようたい)(おも)いとのことだ。
He is conscious, but his condition is reportedly serious.
事故(じこ)搬送(はんそう)された男性(だんせい)様態(ようたい)安定(あんてい)しているという。
The man transported after the accident is said to be in stable condition.
2. manner; mode; way something appears or behaves
A more technical sense meaning the manner or mode in which something occurs. Used in grammar (様態(ようたい)助動詞(じょどうし), 'modal auxiliary of appearance', e.g., そうだ meaning 'looks like') and in academic or scientific descriptions of behavior or form.
そうだは様態(ようたい)(あらわ)助動詞(じょどうし)だ。
「そうだ」 is an auxiliary verb that expresses appearance.
動物(どうぶつ)行動(こうどう)様態(ようたい)観察(かんさつ)する。
To observe the behavioral mode of animals.
この実験(じっけん)では化学(かがく)反応(はんのう)様態(ようたい)(くわ)しく記録(きろく)する。
In this experiment, the mode of the chemical reaction is recorded in detail.

Written with (よう) ('appearance; state') + (たい) ('form; attitude'). Sounds formal and often appears in medical reports, news broadcasts, and academic writing.

USAGE:

  • The most frequent everyday context is news and medical reports on an injured or ill person's condition, where 様態(ようたい) and 容態(ようだい) are near-interchangeable.
  • In grammar instruction, 様態(ようたい) refers to expressions of appearance or likelihood, especially そうだ (e.g., (あめ)()りそうだ 'it looks like it'll rain').
  • Not used in casual conversation about feelings or moods — use 調子(ちょうし) or 具合(ぐあい) instead.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 様態(ようたい)悪化(あっか)する: condition worsens
  • 様態(ようたい)安定(あんてい)する: condition stabilizes
  • 様態(ようたい)見守(みまも)る: to watch (someone's) condition closely
  • 様態(ようたい)助動詞(じょどうし): auxiliary of appearance (grammar)
  • 行動(こうどう)様態(ようたい): behavioral mode

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 容態(ようだい) / {ようたい}: condition (of a patient) — essentially the same meaning in sense 1; 容態 is more common in medical writing, 様態 slightly broader.
  • 状態(じょうたい): state; condition — the general everyday word; does not carry the same formal/clinical tone.
  • 具合(ぐあい): condition; how one feels — casual, everyday word for physical or mechanical condition.
  • 調子(ちょうし): condition; form — used for health, mood, or how something is functioning.