Before starting the exercise for expressing judgment 「よう」「みたい」「そう」, please clarify any doubts you may have about the grammatical rules by referring to your grammar guidebook or dictionary. The Instantaneous Composition Method requires you to compose sentences with the target sentence pattern(s) over and over in order to use them almost effortlessly. You should already have the necessary knowledge.
- Reference
- Genki II – Lesson 13: ～そうです
- Tae Kim’s Guide – Various ways to express similarity and hearsay
Instantaneous Composition Exercise for Expressing Judgment 「よう」「みたい」「そう」
This is not a translation exercise. This is the Instantaneous Composition Exercise. As if a reflexive action, try to create an equivalent Japanese sentence shortly after reading an English script. Try not to think for more than three seconds.
- Audio File
English and Hidden Japanese Scripts
| 1. | (It) seems that going out at night is dangerous. |
| 夜に出かけるのは危ないようです。 |
| 2. | The outside looks dangerous. |
| 外は危なさそうです。 |
| 3. | (It) seems that no one is here. |
| ここには誰もいないようです。 |
| 4. | (It) looks like no one is here. |
| ここには誰もいなさそうです。 |
| 5. | (It) seems that Natto is not delicious. |
| 納豆は美味しくないようです。 |
| 6. | (It) looks like Natto is not delicious. |
| 納豆は美味しくなさそうです。 |
| 7. | (It) seems that Tanaka-san (will) arrive soon. |
| 田中さんはもうすぐ着くようです。 |
| 8. | (It) looks like Tanaka-san (will) arrive soon. |
| 田中さんはもうすぐ着きそうです。 |
| 9. | (It) seems that Noguchi-san (will) lose (a game). |
| 野口さんは負けるようです。 |
| 10. | (It) looks like Noguchi-san (will) lose (a game). |
| 野口さんは負けそうです。 |
Note
「よう」 and 「みたい」 are interchangeable. However, みたい is more casual and generally used in spoken language. Here, we’re following the formal expression. The difference between 「よう」 and 「そう」 is whether people judge something by considering a situation or appearance.
Recommended Links
How to Proceed with the Instantaneous Composition Method
Japanese Grammar Exercise: Expressing Comparison 「より」「…の方が」
Japanese Grammar: Expressing Similarity or Metaphor 「よう」「みたい」
