InitialJ
N4expressioninference

ようだ (you da) - It seems/Looks like

[Plain form] + ようです

Quick answer

[Plain form] + ようです means "It seems, it looks like". As a N4 grammar point, it is tested in the JLPT. Detailed examples and a usage explanation are on this page.

Meaning

It seems, it looks like

Explanation

ようだ expresses inference based on observation or information.

Examples

彼は忙しいようです。
かれはいそがしいようです。
He seems to be busy.
彼—He忙—Busy
雨が降ったようです。
あめがふったようです。
It looks like it rained.
雨—Rain降—Fall

Practice this grammar

[Plain form] + ようです

Which sentence correctly uses "ようだ (you da) - It seems/Looks like"?

Vocabulary from these examples

彼HeN3雨RainN5降FallN3忙BusyN3彼He雨Rain

Last updated Jul 4, 2026