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
How something looks now
Appearance そうです describes what something looks or seems like from what you can see, hear, or feel now. With most い-adjectives, drop the final い before adding そうです.
Target signal
このケーキはおいしそうです。
This cake looks delicious.
おいしい becomes おいしそう before そうです.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- ケーキ
- cake
- うで
- arm
Compare in context
そのかばんは重そうです。
That bag looks heavy.
The visible appearance suggests that the bag is heavy.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- かばん
- bag
- うで
- arm
Compare in context
子どもは眠そうです。
The child looks sleepy.
Some expressions like 眠そう are learned as common appearance words.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- 子ども
- child; children
- 眠そう
- sleepy; sleepy-looking
Section 2 of 3
When an action seems likely soon
With verbs, use the stem before そうです. This often means an action seems likely to happen soon, based on current signs.
Target signal
雨が降りそうです。
It looks like it is going to rain.
The speaker sees signs such as dark clouds.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- うで
- arm
- そう
- so; that way; like that
Preview
赤ちゃんが泣きそうです。
The baby looks like it is about to cry.
Verb-stem + そうです can show something about to happen.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- 泣きそう
- about to cry
- 赤ちゃん
- baby
Preview
店が閉まりそうです。
The shop looks like it is about to close.
This describes an expected near-future event from visible evidence.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- うで
- arm
- そう
- so; that way; like that
Section 3 of 3
Read the evidence behind そうです
Appearance そうです is based on direct evidence. In reading, look for clues before the sentence: a dark sky, a tired face, an empty shop, or something the speaker notices.
Target signal
空が暗いです。雨が降りそうです。
The sky is dark. It looks like it is going to rain.
The first sentence gives the direct evidence.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- うで
- arm
- そう
- so; that way; like that
Preview
友だちは忙しそうでした。
My friend looked busy.
The past form そうでした describes how someone looked before.
Vocabulary notes
- でした
- was; were (polite)
- 友だち
- friend
- うで
- arm
Preview
この部屋は静かそうです。
This room looks quiet.
な-adjectives attach to そう without な.
Vocabulary notes
- そうです
- looks like; seems
- うで
- arm
- この
- this