Translation guide
The suffix '-looking' is used in English to describe appearance or resemblance. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various suffixes and grammatical patterns that attach to nouns, adjectives, or verbs to indicate that something looks or appears a certain way.
To say that something looks like or resembles something else, often based on visual impression.
Attaches to nouns, adjectives, or verbs to mean 'looks like' or 'seems like'. Very common in casual speech.
あの雲、犬みたい。
That cloud looks like a dog.
彼女、疲れてるみたい。
She looks tired.
Attaches to nouns, adjectives, or verb stems to mean '-ish' or 'tends to look/be like'. Often implies a characteristic or tendency.
みたい is a general 'looks like' based on resemblance. っぽい implies a characteristic or tendency, often with a nuance of '-ish'. そう is used for judgments based on direct observation, often about imminent states or qualities.
English compounds like 'strange-looking' cannot be directly translated as one word. Use patterns like 変な見た目の (strange-looking) or 変に見える (looks strange).
彼は子供っぽい。
He is childish-looking / He acts childish.
この服、安っぽく見える。
These clothes look cheap.
Attaches to verb stems or adjectives to mean 'looks like it will...' or 'seems...'. Used for judgments based on appearance.
おいしそうなケーキ。
A delicious-looking cake.
雨が降りそう。
It looks like it will rain.
Literally 'appears like ~'. More formal or written than みたい.
彼は外国人のように見える。
He looks like a foreigner.