Meaning
Used when the speaker judges something from appearance or impression. Here it has the meaning of 'seems' based on what it looks like, not hearsay.
Formation
- Verb: drop ます: 降ります → 降りそうです
- i-adjective: drop い: おいしい → おいしそうです
- na-adjective: drop な: 元気そうです
- いい → よさそう, ない → なさそう
When to use it
- Core use
- Looks like it, judging by sight
Examples
20 sentences-
このケーキはおいしそうです
This cake looks delicious.
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空が暗くなって雨が降りそうです
The sky has grown dark, and it looks like it is going to rain.
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彼は元気そうです
He looks energetic.
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この問題は難しそうです
This problem looks difficult.
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赤ちゃんが眠そうです
The baby looks sleepy.
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そのかばんは丈夫そうです
That bag looks durable.
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明日は暑くなりそうです
It looks like it will get hot tomorrow.
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先生は忙しそうです
The teacher looks busy.
12 more examples
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この料理は辛そうです
This dish looks spicy.
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電車はもう来そうです
It looks like the train will come soon.
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ボタンが取れそうです
The button looks like it is about to come off.
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このスープは熱そうです
This soup looks hot.
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優しそうな人が道を教えてくれました
A kind-looking person showed me the way.
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彼は元気そうで安心しました
He looked well, which reassured me.
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この店は高くなさそうです
This shop does not look expensive.
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棚の本が落ちそうです
The book on the shelf looks about to fall.
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この方法はよさそうです
This method looks good.
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今日は雨が降りそうにありません
It does not look likely to rain today.
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この問題は難しそうですがやってみます
This problem looks difficult, but I will try it.
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彼は嬉しそうに笑っています
He is smiling happily.
Important notes
- Appearance そう describes an impression: おいしそう, 雨が降りそう.
Common mistakes
- Use the verb stem and adjective stem; いい becomes よさそう and ない becomes なさそう.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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