ようだ

Meanings

auxiliary verb, copula

it seems that; it appears that

usually written using kana alone

Expresses conjecture based on direct evidence or observation. Used at sentence end; follows the attributive form of verbs/adjectives, or の after nouns.

雨あめが降ふったようだ。
It seems that it rained.
彼かれは疲つかれているようだ。
He appears to be tired.

auxiliary verb, copula

is like; is similar to

usually written using kana alone

Indicates similarity or resemblance. Also used at sentence end; follows the attributive form of verbs/adjectives, or の after nouns.

彼かの女じょの笑え顔がおは花はなのようだ。
Her smile is like a flower.
この味あじはチョコレートのようだ。
This taste is similar to chocolate.

See all 31 example sentences ›

Grammar

Kanji

様Esq., way, manner

Related words· 6

ようN1
ようだ is the complete copular expression meaning 'seems' or 'is like,' while 様 is the bare noun/suffix element used inside such patterns as のように.
ごとき
ようだ is the everyday equivalent for 'seems like/similar to', while ごとき is a formal, literary word used mainly in classical or highly formal registers.
如ごとし
ようだ is the modern standard way to say 'like/as if', while 如し is its classical, literary equivalent found in old sayings and formal writing.
みたい
みたい is a casual, spoken way to say 'like/seems', while ようだ is the more formal, written equivalent expressing the same resemblance.

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そうだ
そうだ conveys hearsay based on what one has heard from others, while ようだ expresses a conjecture based on the speaker's own direct observation or senses.
らしいN2
ようだ expresses a subjective impression or analogy and is slightly more formal than みたいだ, while らしい is used when the judgment is based on external evidence or general expectations.

Don't confuse with

ような気きがする
ようだ by itself expresses a direct inference ('it seems that...'), whereas ような気がする softens this into a vague personal hunch rather than a reasoned conclusion.

Etymology

Derived from the noun 様 (よう, 'appearance, form') combined with the copula だ. The kanji form 様だ is rarely used in modern Japanese.