Plain form + ようだ

[It Seems / It Appears]

Connection: Plain form + ようだ

Expresses conjecture or inference based on observation, evidence, or information. More objective than そうだ (hearsay/appearance). Can also be used for similes ("like~").

Formation:

• Verb plain form + ようだ: 雨が降るようだ、降ったようだ
• い-adjective + ようだ: 高いようだ、高かったようだ
• な-adjective + な + ようだ: 便利なようだ、便利だったようだ
• Noun + の + ようだ: 学生のようだ、休みのようだ

Modifier Forms:

• ような + Noun: 夢のような話 (a dreamlike story)
• ように + Verb: 鳥のように飛ぶ (fly like a bird)

Uses:

1. Conjecture: Based on evidence you've observed
2. Simile/Comparison: "Like X" or "as if X"
3. Example: "Such as" (ような)

Comparison:

• ようだ = seems (based on observation/evidence, objective)
• みたいだ = seems (casual spoken form of ようだ)
• そうだ(様態) = looks like (based on appearance only)
• らしい = seems (based on hearsay/strong evidence)

Examples: 雨が降るようです。(It seems like it will rain.) 彼は病気のようだ。(He appears to be sick.) 夢のような話だ。(It's a dreamlike story / It's like a dream.)