What does ～ようだ (conjecture) mean? Japanese grammar N4

How to use it

Makes a cautious inference from multiple signs or indirect information.

• ようだ presents the speaker's conclusion based on traces, sounds, the situation, or multiple pieces of evidence. It doesn't necessarily rely only on direct visual appearance like そうだ (looks-like).
• Nouns connect with の, na-adjectives with な. In casual conversation it's often replaced with みたいだ; ようだ is neutral and more suited to written language.

Examples

• 電気(でんき)が消(き)えています。田中(たなか)さんはもう帰(かえ)ったようです。

  The lights are off. It seems that Tanaka has already gone home.

• 外(そと)が静(しず)かなようです。雨(あめ)は止(や)んだかもしれません。

  It seems quiet outside. The rain may have stopped.

Common mistakes

• Wrongあの人(ひと)は先生(せんせい)ようです。

  Correctあの人(ひと)は先生(せんせい)のようです。

  A noun needs の before ようだ: 先生のようだ.

Exam tips

• Noun + blank in the sense of inference: ようだ needs の, らしい doesn't.

Related patterns

• ～そうだ（appearance）
• ～みたい
• ～らしい（hearsay）