Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
What appearance そう means
Use 〜そうです when you judge something from visible or immediate evidence. With い-adjectives, drop the final い. With な-adjectives, attach そう to the stem. With verbs, use the ます-stem plus そう. This pattern means “looks…” or “seems likely to…”.
Target signal
このケーキはおいしそうです。
This cake looks delicious.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- ケーキ
- cake
- うで
- arm
Compare in context
雨が降りそうです。
It looks like it is going to rain.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- うで
- arm
- そう
- so; that way; like that
Compare in context
田中さんは元気そうです。
Tanaka looks well.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- 元気そう
- looks lively; looks well
- 田中さん
- Tanaka
Section 2 of 3
Negative appearance and common forms
Negative appearance is often made with 〜なさそうです or adjective negative stems such as 〜くなさそうです. Focus on natural, high-frequency patterns first. いい becomes よさそう, not いいそう in this grammar point.
Target signal
この問題はむずかしくなさそうです。
This problem does not look difficult.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- うで
- arm
- この
- this
Preview
あの店は高くなさそうです。
That shop does not look expensive.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- あの
- that; that over there
- うで
- arm
Preview
この方法のほうがよさそうです。
This method looks better.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- のほうが
- the ... one is more ...
- うで
- arm
Section 3 of 3
Do not confuse it with hearsay そうだ
Appearance そう attaches to an adjective stem or verb stem. Hearsay そうだ attaches to a plain clause and means “I heard that…”. In reading, the form before そう is the key clue.
Target signal
山田さんは来るそうです。
I heard that Yamada is coming.
Plain verb + そう = hearsay, not appearance.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- 山田さん
- Mr. or Ms. Yamada
- うで
- arm
Preview
山田さんは来そうです。
Yamada looks likely to come.
Verb stem + そう = appearance or likelihood.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- 山田さん
- Mr. or Ms. Yamada
- うで
- arm
Preview
その子は眠そうです。
That child looks sleepy.
Notice how Appearance そうだ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- 眠そう
- sleepy; sleepy-looking
- うで
- arm