Studying Japanese: そう/そうな/そうに（N4）

そう/そうな/そうに　Meaning:

1. It looks like / appears like; seeming~.

2. I heard that; it is said that~.

How to use　そう　It looks like				examples	Translation
Verb	Verb stem	+	そう/ そうだ/ そうです	雨(あめ)が降(ふ)りそうだ。	It seems like it's gonna start raining
				彼(かれ)は仕事(しごと)をやめるそうです。	I heard that he will be quitting his job.
なadjective				彼(かれ)は元気(げんき)そうです	He looks fine
いadjective	Drop い e.x.さむい			外(そと)は寒(さむ)そう	It looks cold outside
Verb negative and いい（よい）	Replace い　with さ			彼(かれ)は学校(がっこう)に来(こ)なさそう	He is unlikely to come to school
				明日(あした)は天気(てんき)がよさそう	It'll probably be nice weather tomorrow

※When you say　「looks like + noun」, use みたい instead of そう, as in: 彼(かれ)は学生(がくせい)みたいです/ He looks like a student

Exercises ~そうです（look like)

How to use　そう　I heard that; it is said that~.				examples	Translation
Verb	Short form	+	そう/ そうだ/ そうです	雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るそうだ。	I heard that it's gonna start raining
				彼(かれ)は仕事(しごと)をやめるそうです。	I heard that he will be quitting his job.
なadjective				彼(かれ)は元気(げんき)だそうです	I heard that he is fine
いadjective				外(そと)は寒(さむ)いそう	I heard that it cold outside

Exercises　そう（I heard～）

How to use　そうな				examples	Translation
Verb	Verb stem	+	そうな+Noun	雨(あめ)が降(ふ)りそうな空(そら)です。	It is the sky where it is likely to rain.
なadjective				暇(ひま)そうな友達(ともだち)に電話(でんわ)をします	I call a friend who seems to be free
いadjective	Drop い e.x.やさしい			彼(かれ)はとてもやさしそうな人(ひと)です。	He seems like a very nice person.

How to use　そうに					Explations with そうに	examples	Translation
Verb	Verb stem	+	そうに	+	+なる ※Before a things that cannot be controlled by the intention of the agent happens	泣(な)きそうになる	I’m about to cry.
なadjective					+みえる（~ Looks like that）	二人(ふたり)は幸(しあわ)せそうにみえる。	The two look happy.
いadjective	Drop い e.x.つまらない				彼(かれ)はつまらなそうに映画(えいが)を見(み)ている		He looks really bored watching the movie.

Studying Japanese