GI06 · Seems: 〜ようだ, 〜みたい

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the intermediate level, in kanji with furigana, and assume elementary grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GI01say something is excessive
• GI02say whether something is easy or hard to do
• GI03say what you do something for
• GI04say what you do to avoid something
• GI05pass on what you've heard

What you learn

〜ようです／〜みたいです

• ようseems (inferred)
• みたいseems (casual)

ようです says what you infer from what you see or hear: ぶちょうは こない ようです (it seems the boss isn't coming). Nouns take の: あめの ようです. みたいです means the same but is more casual and takes no の: あめみたいです.

• 部長ぶちょうは 会議かいぎに こない ようです。buchou wa kaigi ni konai you desu.It seems the boss isn't coming to the meeting.
• 今日きょうは 寒さむい ようです。kyou wa samui you desu.It seems cold today.
• 雨あめの ようです。ame no you desu.It seems to be raining.
• 人口じんこうが 減へった ようです。jinkou ga hetta you desu.It seems the population has fallen.
• 来週らいしゅうは 休やすみみたいです。raishuu wa yasumi mitai desu.Looks like next week is a day off.
• 会議かいぎは 延期えんきみたいです。kaigi wa enki mitai desu.Looks like the meeting's been postponed.

Practice

A short text with words and grammar you already know; kanji carry their reading above. Read it and answer.