looks like ~, seems ~

Intermediate

10-15 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Describes appearance or how something looks based on direct observation.

[Verb ます-stem/Adj stem] + そうだ

このケーキはおいしそうです。

Kono keeki wa oishisou desu.

This cake looks delicious.

雨が降りそうです。

Ame ga furisou desu.

It looks like it's going to rain.

Different from ～そうだ (hearsay) which attaches to plain form.

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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