looks like ~, seems ~

Beginner

10-15 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses appearance or likelihood based on what you see.

[Verb stem/い-adj stem/な-adj] + そう

雨が降りそうです。

Ame ga furisou desu.

It looks like it will rain.

おいしそうなケーキです。

Oishisou na keeki desu.

It's a delicious-looking cake.

いい becomes よさそう. ない becomes なさそう.

～そうです (hearsay)

I heard that ~, it is said that ~

～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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