Meaning
〜ようです has two main uses: expressing similarity (comparing one thing to another) and making inferences or assumptions based on observation or feeling. It's less direct than 〜そうです and is used when you haven't directly confirmed something. The pattern works with verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns with appropriate particles.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 动词普通形 | ようです |
| い形容词 | ようです |
| な形容词＋な | ようです |
| 名词＋の | ようです |
Examples
-
あの人は英語がとても上手です。まるでアメリカ人のようです。
That person's English is very good. It's just like a native American speaker. -
4月になったのに、まだ寒くて、まるで冬のようです。
Even though it's April, it's still cold—it's just like winter. -
あのむずかしい試験に合格できたのが本当に夢のようです。
Being able to pass that difficult exam feels like a dream. -
外は雨が降っているようですね。
It seems like it's raining outside, doesn't it? -
山の上は寒いようです。
It appears to be cold at the top of the mountain. -
誰でも戦争が嫌いなようです。
It seems everyone dislikes war.
Summary
- Use 〜ようです to compare something to something else or to make inferences about situations
- Unlike 〜そうです, it can be used with nouns (noun + の + ようです) and expresses less certainty
- Formation changes based on word type: verb/i-adj/na-adj+な/noun+の all attach directly to ようです