Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 6
Structure of そう:
Verb[ます]+ そう + だ
[い]Adjective[い]+ そう + だ
[な]Adjective + そう + だ
Negative:
Verb[ない]+ な + そう + だ
[い]Adjective [ない] + なさ + そう + だ
[な]Adjective + では(1)ない + なさ + そう + だ
Exceptions:
いい → よい + さそう + だ → よさそうだ
(1) じゃ
Details about そう:
そうだ is one of the 18 primary auxiliary verbs in Japanese, and can be used in two (2) different ways. The broad meaning in each of its applications is that something 'seems' to be a certain way. Due to this, そう is regularly translated as 'seems like', 'looks like', or 'appears as though'.
In this lesson, we will focus on the form that is used with the conjunctive (stem) form of words. Please examine the structure guide to see these forms.
In this lesson, we will focus on the form that is used with the conjunctive (stem) form of words. Please examine the structure guide to see these forms.
- 彼女は毎日走りそうだ。She seems like she runs everyday.
- これは正しそうだ。This seems correct.
- あの店員は丁寧そうだ。That clerk seems like he is attentive.
そう
Usage Notes for そう:
そう may also be used when attached to the い-Adjective, ない. In this case, there is a unique conjugation rule which we will need to be careful of. As always, い will be removed from ない before attaching そう. However, さ will be inserted between な, and そう. This creates the expression なさそう.
- 彼の部屋は汚くなさそうだ。His room doesn't seem messy.
- あの車は小さくて便利じゃなさそう。That car is small, and looks inconvenient.
- 彼はもうイギリスに帰らなそうだ。It appears that he is not going back to England.
This そう is utilized exclusively to make predictions/guesses about something based on visual information. It is relatively low confidence, so should not be used for things that are obvious. In these cases, みたい would be used instead.
- 明日は朝から雨が降るみたいだ。It looks like it is going to start raining tomorrow morning. (Higher confidence)
- 明日は朝から雨が降りそうだ。It seems like it is going to start raining tomorrow morning. (Lower confidence)
Synonyms for そう:
みたい
Like, Similar to, Resembling
らしい ①
Seems like, Apparently, I heard
のように・のような
Like (Noun), Similar to (Noun)
ように・ような
As・like, Just like
にみえる
To look, To seem, To appear
ような気がする
Have a feeling that
っぽい
-ish, -like, Characteristic of, Typical of, Tendency to
そうもない
Very unlikely to, Does not seem that, Does not appear that
そうにない
Unlikely to, Showing no signs of
Example of そう
雪が降りそうです。
It looks like it is going to snow.
先生の仕事は難しそうです。
The job of being a teacher looks hard.
今日の宿題は簡単そうだ。
Today's homework looks easy.
その食べ物は食べやすそう。
That food looks easy to eat.
この教科書はとても難しそうです。
This textbook seems very difficult.
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