Unit 2 - Section 2: Passive Usage

Practice Quiz

Auxiliary Verbs (～そう, ～ようだ)

Learn sophisticated auxiliary verbs that add nuance to your expressions. These patterns convey appearance, rumor, and conjecture.

～そう (Looks Like/About To)

Two meanings:

1. Appearance: "Looks like" or "seems"

  • このりんごは美味しそうです。 - "This apple looks delicious."

2. Imminent: "About to" or "on the verge of"

  • 雨が降りそうです。 - "It looks like it's about to rain."

～ようだ / ～のようだ (It Seems/Like)

Pattern: Verb/Adjective + ようだ

Express appearance or supposition

  • 彼は忙しいようです。 - "It seems he is busy."
  • この仕事は簡単なようです。 - "This work seems easy."

～らしい (Seems / Appears)

Pattern: Verb/Adjective + らしい

More objective observation than ～ようだ

  • 彼は医者らしいです。 - "It seems/appears he is a doctor."
  • その情報は正確らしい。 - "That information appears to be accurate."

Example Sentences

試験しけんは難むずかしそうです。
[Shiken wa muzukashisou desu]
Translation: The exam looks difficult.
今日きょうは晴はれるようです。
[Kyou wa hareru you desu]
Translation: It seems today will be clear/sunny.

Study Tips

Master Auxiliary Verbs:
  • そう: Most immediate feeling - what it looks like now
  • ようだ: Broader observation - what seems to be
  • らしい: More objective - what appears based on information
  • Nuance learning: Use these to express uncertainty naturally
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz