Inference from What You See: ようだ

Learn how ようだ expresses inference based on visible evidence or available information.

Use ようだ for evidence-based inference.Distinguish ようだ from らしい and そうだ.Read descriptive and inferential writing more precisely.

Guided study

Core Meaning of ようだ

ようだ means 'it seems' or 'it appears' when the speaker draws a conclusion from evidence. The evidence may be visual, situational, or textual.

外はぬれている。雨が降ったようだ。

Outside is wet. It seems that it rained.

The speaker infers from visible evidence.

電気がついていない。まだ帰っていないようだ。

The lights are off. It seems they haven't come home yet.

The conclusion comes from the situation.

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Use the Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.