JLPT N4 grammar

〜ようだmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. It seems/looks like A
  2. As A; Like A

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveようだ
  • な-adjective (stem)なようだ
  • nounのようだ

How it is used

A guess from what you see or feel yourself: “it seems”. More formal than 「みたい」. It also makes comparisons, “just like”, often with 「まるで」. For what you have heard, use 「らしい」.

Examples

  1. 彼は少し疲れているようだ。

    He looks a bit tired.

  2. 外は雨が降っているようです。

    It seems to be raining outside.

  3. 今日は夏のような暑さですね。

    It's as hot as summer today, isn't it?

  4. 兄は魚のように速く泳ぎます。

    My older brother swims as fast as a fish.