JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
it looks like; seems like
Category: Appearance & Conjecture
The grammar pattern 'V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだ' is used to describe the appearance of something based on visual evidence at the moment. For verbs, it indicates something is about to happen. This pattern is often used to express a feeling or impression that something is about to occur or is currently happening. It is not used for obvious characteristics, but rather for things that are not immediately apparent. For example, you might say '空が暗くなってきました、今にも雨が降りそうです' to express that it looks like it might rain soon, based on the darkening sky. This pattern is often used in casual conversation to express a feeling or impression.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-ます stem | Verb stem + ます | 見ます (mi-masu) becomes 見 (mi) stem |
| い-Adj (-い) | い-Adjective stem + いい | おいしい (oishii) becomes おいし (oishi) stem |
| な-Adj (-な) | な-Adjective stem + な | きれいな (kireina) becomes きれい (kirei) stem |
空が暗くなってきました、今にも雨が降りそうです。
Sora ga kurakatta kite kimashita, imani ni ame ga furisou desu.
The sky has darkened and it looks like it might rain soon.
空が暗くなってきました (The sky has darkened) + 今にも (it looks like) + 雨が降りそうです (it might rain soon)
この料理はとてもおいしそうですね。
Kono ryouri wa totemo oishisou desu ne.
This dish looks really delicious.
この料理 (this dish) + は (topic marker) + とても (very) + おいし (looks delicious) + そう (it looks like) + です (polite form)
田中さんは忙しいそうにありませんね。
Tanaka-san wa isogashii sou ni arimasen ne.
Mr. Tanaka looks like he's busy.
田中さん (Mr. Tanaka) + は (topic marker) + 忙しい (looks busy) + そう (it looks like) + に (adverb) + ありません (polite form)
この花は赤いそうですね。
Kono hana wa akai sou desu ne.
This flower looks red.
この花 (this flower) + は (topic marker) + 赤い (looks red) + そう (it looks like) + です (polite form)
彼は疲れているそうです。
Kare wa tsukameru sou desu.
He looks tired.
彼 (he) + は (topic marker) + 疲れている (looks tired) + そう (it looks like) + です (polite form)
This pattern is used to express a feeling or impression that something is about to occur or is currently happening. It is often used in casual conversation to express a feeling or impression. The pattern is not used for obvious characteristics, but rather for things that are not immediately apparent. The polite form is used when speaking to someone of higher status or when speaking in a formal setting.
The plain form of the verb is used for hearsay, not for expressing a feeling or impression. For example, '空が暗くなってきました、今にも雨が降ります' is incorrect because it uses the plain form of the verb.
This pattern is not used for obvious characteristics, but rather for things that are not immediately apparent. For example, 'この料理は赤いそうです' is incorrect because it describes an obvious characteristic.
When using i-adjectives, the 'i' is removed to form the stem. For example, 'おいしい' becomes 'おいし' stem.
When answering questions that use this pattern, make sure to use the correct form of the verb and to express a feeling or impression that something is about to occur or is currently happening. Also, be careful not to use the plain form of the verb or to use it for obvious characteristics.
空が暗くなってきました。今にも雨が______そうです。
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