〜そう

3 Senses1 / 3

Formation

N4SuppositionNeutral
Dict. Form ()
I-adj
Dict. Form
Na-adj
そうだ / そうな / そうに
Ex.
ない → なさそう
Variations
そうだ
そうな
そうに
なさそう

Meaning

It looks like ~. Used when the speaker describes what they felt or sensed visually. Conjugates like な-adjectives. Cannot be used for things that are immediately obvious (e.g., かわいい, きれい).

Note

Indicates appearance or intuitive judgment based on visual evidence. It cannot be used for inherent qualities that are obvious upon sight (e.g., 'beautiful', 'cute').

Examples

この料理はおいしそうです。

This dish looks delicious.

彼は優しそうな人ですね。

He seems like a kind person.

彼女は元気そうに見えます。

She looks energetic.

あの映画は面白くなさそうです。

That movie doesn't look interesting.

彼は元気じゃなさそうです。

He doesn't look well.

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