ようだ
ようだ
expression
it seems; it appears; it looks like
1.
it seems; it appears; it looks like
Expresses the speaker's judgment or inference based on what they have observed or sensed. Indicates that something appears to be a certain way.
雨が降るようだ。
It looks like it's going to rain.
彼は疲れているようだ。
He seems to be tired.
話の内容から判断すると、彼女は転職を考えているようだ。
Judging from what she said, it seems she's considering changing jobs.
2.
like; similar to; as if
Used to make comparisons or similes, expressing that something resembles or is similar to something else.
雪のように白い。
White as snow.
夢を見ているようだった。
It was as if I were dreaming.
3.
in such a way that; so that
Used with verbs to express a desired manner or goal, indicating the way something should be done.
子供でも分かるように説明してください。
Please explain it so that even a child can understand.
忘れないように手帳に書いておく。
I'll write it in my planner so I don't forget.
風邪を引かないように気をつけてね。
Be careful not to catch a cold.
合格できるように毎日練習している。
I practice every day so that I can pass.
One of the most versatile and frequently used expressions in Japanese. Written as 様だ when using kanji, though the hiragana form is more common. Attaches to the plain form of verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjective stems + な, and nouns + の.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- verb plain + ようだ: 来るようだ (it seems they're coming)
- い-adjective + ようだ: 寒いようだ (it seems cold)
- な-adjective + なようだ: 元気なようだ (seems healthy)
- noun + のようだ: 春のようだ (like spring)
- ように + verb: 聞こえるように話す (speak so one can be heard)
- ようにする: to make an effort to; to make sure to
- ようになる: to come to; to become able to
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- みたいだ: colloquial equivalent of ようだ (sense 1 and 2); ようだ is more formal
- らしい: based on hearsay or indirect evidence, while ようだ is based on the speaker's own observation
- そうだ (appearance): based on visual impression of the moment, while ようだ involves more deliberate judgment