そう (Look like)

Look like, Appear, Seem, Have a feeling that

JLPT N4
Pattern

Verb (ます-stem) / adjective stem + そうだ

How it works

そうだ after a ます-stem or an adjective stem means “looks like / seems” based on what you see: おいしそう (looks tasty), ふりそう (looks like it'll rain). Drop い or な from adjectives. いい becomes よさそう, ない becomes なさそう.

Examples

  • この ケーキは おいしそうですね。This cake looks delicious.
  • 今にも 雨が ふりそうです。It looks like it's about to rain.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 3

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