Overview
This lesson covers four closely related expressions that all translate loosely as “it seems” or “it looks like” — but which differ in what your judgment is based on and how you obtained the information. Mastering the distinctions is key to sounding natural and precise.
| Expression | Meaning | Based on |
| そうです (appearance) | “looks like…” | Immediate visual impression |
| ようです | “seems like…” | Reasoning, indirect evidence |
| そうです (hearsay) | “I heard that…” | A clear, specific source |
| らしいです | “apparently…” | Vague/second-hand information |
⚠️ Note that そうです has two completely different meanings depending on how it attaches to the verb. We’ll cover both carefully.
—From here on, it will be available to members only—
Practice
Set A — そう (appearance) vs よう (inference)
Fill in the blank with そう or よう:
- ケーキを見たけど、とてもおいし＿＿＿。 (I looked at the cake — it looks tasty.)
- 外が静かだから、もうみんな帰った＿＿＿。 (It’s quiet outside, so it seems everyone left.)
- 駅で人がたくさん待っている。電車が遅れている＿＿＿。 (Lots of people waiting — it seems the train is delayed.)
- あの猫は怒ってい＿＿＿。近づかないほうがいいよ。 (That cat seems angry.)
- 教室の電気が消えている。誰もいない＿＿＿。 (Lights are off — it seems no one’s there.)
- あの犬はうれし＿＿＿にしっぽをふっている。 (That dog is wagging its tail, looking happy.)
- このスープは辛＿＿＿。気をつけて食べてね。 (This soup looks spicy.)
- 鳥のような声が聞こえるけど、ロボットが鳴いている＿＿＿。 (A bird-like sound — but it seems a robot is making it.)
Set B — そう (hearsay) vs らしい
Fill in the blank with そう or らしい:
- 天気予報によると、明日は雪が降る＿＿＿。 (According to the forecast, it’ll snow tomorrow.)
- 先生の話では、来週テストがある＿＿＿。 (The teacher said there’s a test next week.)
- あの人は新しいカフェのオーナー＿＿＿。でも、はっきり分かりません。 (Apparently the owner of the new café — but I’m not sure.)
- うわさによると、田中さんは会社を辞めた＿＿＿。 (According to rumours, Tanaka quit.)
- 山田さんが来月結婚する＿＿＿よ。知ってた？ (I heard Yamada’s getting married.)