What it means
ようだ expresses an inference based on what the speaker sees, hears, or otherwise considers evidence. It means that someone or something seems to be or appears to be a certain way, rather than stating the information as a definite fact. It attaches to a plain verb or an i-adjective, to a noun with の, and to a na-adjective with な. The polite counterpart ようです keeps the same meaning while making the sentence polite.
Usage note
Do not confuse ようだ with ように, which commonly expresses purpose, manner, or a desired result. With nouns, use のようだ; with na-adjectives, use なようだ.
How to use it
彼は医者のようです。
He seems to be a doctor.
この部屋は静かなようです。
This room seems to be quiet.
この料理は辛いようです。
This dish seems to be spicy.
田中さんは来るようです。
Tanaka seems to be coming.
彼は医者のようだ。
He seems to be a doctor.
この部屋は静かなようだ。
This room seems to be quiet.
この料理は辛いようだ。
This dish seems to be spicy.
田中さんは来るようだ。
Tanaka seems to be coming.
Example sentences
窓の外が明るいので、雨はやんだようです。
Since it is bright outside the window, it appears that the rain has stopped.
駅の前に人がたくさん並んでいるので、人気の店のようです。
Since many people are lined up in front of the station, it appears to be a popular restaurant.
この箱は思ったより重いようです。
This box appears to be heavier than I expected.