〜そうだ（様態）

Pattern

〜そうだ（様態）

Level

N4

Reading

そうだ

Meaning

Looks like / seems like

Attaches to

Verb (ます-stem), Adj-i/na (stem)

Nuance & register

Based on immediate visual evidence or feeling.

Example

雨が降りそうな天気ですね。 It looks like it is going to rain, doesn't it?

Easily confused with

〜らしい (rashii) which is based on hearsay or logical induction, while 〜そうだ is based on visual/immediate impression.

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