My Language Classes

Mastering the Japanese Te-Form: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Japanese たい Form: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Expressions of Ability in Japanese

Understanding Japanese Verb Groups: A Beginner’s Guide

〜そうだ (Hearsay): Expressing Reported Speech in Japanese

〜そうだ (Appearance): Expressing ‘Looks Like’ in Japanese

〜そうだ (Hearsay) vs 〜そうだ (Appearance): Understanding the Difference

February 24, 2025

Using〜そうだ (Appearance) | My Language Classes:

Expressing ‘Looks Like’ in Japanese 〜そうだ

In Japanese, the grammar pattern 〜そうだ (sou da) is used to express that something “looks like” or “seems” a certain way based on its appearance. This pattern is useful when describing objects, actions, or situations that give a certain impression. It is often used with adjectives, nouns, and verbs, but its meaning slightly changes depending on the word category.

This blog will guide you through the formation, usage, and different contexts where 〜そうだ (Appearance) can be applied.

Formation of 〜そうだ (Appearance)

1. Using with Adjectives

For i-adjectives: Drop the final い (i) and add 〜そうだ.
- Example: おいしい → おいしそうだ (Oishii → Oishisou da) – “Looks delicious.”
For na-adjectives: Just add 〜そうだ directly to the adjective.
- Example: 美しい → 美しそうだ (Utsukushii → Utsukushisou da) – “Looks beautiful.”

2. Using with Verbs

For verbs (stem form): Take the ます-stem and add 〜そうだ.
- Example: 雨が降る (Ame ga furu) → 雨が降りそうだ (Ame ga furisou da) – “It looks like it will rain.”

3. Using with Nouns

Nouns do not usually take the 〜そうだ form when expressing appearance. Instead, のようだ or みたいだ is commonly used.

Usage of 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form

1. Describing Physical Appearance:

「他は強そうだ」

Romaji: Kare wa tsuyosou da.
English: He looks strong.

「このかばんは重そうだ」

Romaji: Kono kaban wa omosou da.
English: This bag looks heavy.

2. Expressing Predictions Based on Appearance:

「このケーキは生でたべられそうだ」

Romaji: Kono kēki wa nama de taberare-sou da.
English: This cake looks edible raw.

「この車はまだ動きそうだ」

Romaji: Kono kuruma wa mada ugoki-sou da.
English: This car looks like it can still run.

3. Talking About Immediate Future Actions:

「雨が降りそうだ」

Romaji: Ame ga furi-sou da.
English: It looks like it’s going to rain.

「電車が出発しそうだ」

Romaji: Densha ga shuppatsu shisou da.
English: The train looks like it’s about to depart.

Common Words with 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form:

Here’s a well-structured table with verbs, nouns, and adjectives in their 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form, along with two example sentences for each.

Type	Word	〜そうだ Form	Example Sentence 1	Romaji	English Meaning	Example Sentence 2	Romaji	English Meaning
Verb	食べる (taberu) – to eat	食べられそうだ (taberare-sou da)	このケーキは美味しそうだから食べられそうだ。	Kono kēki wa oishisou dakara taberare-sou da.	This cake looks delicious, so it seems edible.	このスープは熱そうだけど飲めそうだ。	Kono sūpu wa atsusou dakedo nome-sou da.	This soup looks hot, but it seems drinkable.
Verb	壊れる (kowareru) – to break	壊れそうだ (koware-sou da)	この椅子は古くて壊れそうだ。	Kono isu wa furukute koware-sou da.	This chair looks old and about to break.	このおもちゃは落としたら壊れそうだ。	Kono omocha wa otoshitara koware-sou da.	This toy looks like it will break if dropped.
Noun	雨 (ame) – rain	雨が降りそうだ (ame ga furi-sou da)	空が暗くなってきたから、雨が降りそうだ。	Sora ga kuraku natte kita kara, ame ga furi-sou da.	The sky is getting dark, so it looks like it’s going to rain.	風が強くなってきたし、雨が降りそうだね。	Kaze ga tsuyoku natte kita shi, ame ga furi-sou da ne.	The wind is getting stronger, and it looks like it will rain.
Noun	試験 (shiken) – exam	試験が難しそうだ (shiken ga muzukashisou da)	明日の試験は難しそうだ。	Ashita no shiken wa muzukashisou da.	Tomorrow’s exam looks difficult.	先生の説明を聞いて、試験が簡単そうだと思った。	Sensei no setsumei o kiite, shiken ga kantansou da to omotta.	After hearing the teacher’s explanation, I thought the exam looked easy.
Adjective	美味しい (oishii) – delicious	美味しそうだ (oishisou da)	このラーメンは美味しそうだね！	Kono rāmen wa oishisou da ne!	This ramen looks delicious!	おばあちゃんの作ったケーキは美味しそうだ。	Obaachan no tsukutta kēki wa oishisou da.	The cake my grandmother made looks delicious.
Adjective	楽しい (tanoshii) – fun	楽しそうだ (tanoshisou da)	彼らの旅行はとても楽しそうだ。	Karera no ryokō wa totemo tanoshisou da.	Their trip looks really fun.	あの子たちはゲームをしていて楽しそうだね。	Ano kotachi wa gēmu o shiteite tanoshisou da ne.	Those kids look like they’re having fun playing games.
Adjective	寒い (samui) – cold	寒そうだ (samusou da)	彼は薄い服を着ていて寒そうだ。	Kare wa usui fuku o kiteite samusou da.	He is wearing thin clothes and looks cold.	外は雪が降っていてとても寒そうだ。	Soto wa yuki ga futteite totemo samusou da.	It is snowing outside, and it looks very cold.

More Example Sentences

Here are 10 more example sentences using 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form, along with romaji and English meanings:

このスープは熱そうだ。
- Romaji: Kono sūpu wa atsusou da.
- English: This soup looks hot.
彼は疲れていそうだ。
- Romaji: Kare wa tsukareteisou da.
- English: He looks tired.
あの建物は古くて壊れそうだ。
- Romaji: Ano tatemono wa furukute kowaresou da.
- English: That building looks old and about to collapse.
この箱は軽そうだね。
- Romaji: Kono hako wa karusou da ne.
- English: This box looks light.
彼の話は面白そうだ。
- Romaji: Kare no hanashi wa omoshirosou da.
- English: His story sounds interesting.
この靴は履きやすそうだ。
- Romaji: Kono kutsu wa haki-yasusou da.
- English: These shoes look easy to wear.
あの犬はおとなしくて優しそうだね。
- Romaji: Ano inu wa otonashikute yasashisou da ne.
- English: That dog looks calm and gentle.
このカバンは丈夫そうだ。
- Romaji: Kono kaban wa joubusou da.
- English: This bag looks durable.
彼女の料理は美味しそうだ。
- Romaji: Kanojo no ryōri wa oishisou da.
- English: Her cooking looks delicious.
あの道は滑りそうだから気をつけて！

Romaji: Ano michi wa suberisou dakara ki o tsukete!
English: That road looks slippery, so be careful!

Things to Keep in Mind About 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form

When using 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form, there are a few important points to remember:

1. Used for Visual Appearance or Impression

This form is used when something looks a certain way based on visual observation or impression.
Example:
- このケーキは甘そうだ。 (Kono kēki wa amasou da.) → This cake looks sweet. (Judging by appearance, not by tasting it.)

2. Not for First-Hand Experience

It should not be used when you have direct experience with something (e.g., you actually ate the cake).
Incorrect: このケーキを食べたけど甘そうだ。(Kono kēki o tabeta kedo amasou da.) ❌
Correct: このケーキは甘い。(Kono kēki wa amai.) ✅ → This cake is sweet.

3. Different from 〜そうだ (Hearsay)

〜そうだ (Appearance) is different from 〜そうだ (Hearsay), which is used to report something you heard from someone else.
Example (Appearance):
- 彼は元気そうだ。 (Kare wa genkisou da.) → He looks energetic.
Example (Hearsay):
- 彼は元気だそうだ。 (Kare wa genki da sou da.) → I heard that he is energetic.

4. Adjective Conjugation Rules

For い-adjectives: Remove い and add そうだ.
- Example: おいしい → おいしそうだ (oishii → oishisou da) → Looks delicious
For な-adjectives: Just add そうだ.
- Example: 元気（げんき）→ 元気そうだ (genki → genkisou da) → Looks healthy

5. Special Case: Negative Form

To say “doesn’t look ~,” change ない to なさそうだ.
- Example:
  - 美味しくない (oishikunai) → 美味しくなさそうだ (oishikunasa sou da) → Doesn’t look delicious.
  - 元気じゃない (genki janai) → 元気じゃなさそうだ (genki janasa sou da) → Doesn’t look healthy.

6. Verb Usage: Potential & Immediate Action

For potential actions: Use the stem of the potential form of the verb + そうだ.
- Example: この橋は渡れそうだ。(Kono hashi wa watare-sou da.) → This bridge looks crossable.
For immediate actions: Use the stem of the dictionary form + そうだ.
- Example: 雨が降りそうだ。(Ame ga furi-sou da.) → It looks like it’s going to rain soon.

7. Special Irregular Adjectives

いい (good) → よさそうだ (yosasou da) → Looks good.
ない (not existing) → なさそうだ (nasasou da) → Doesn’t seem to exist.

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct 〜そうだ form of the given words.

Questions:

このスープは _______ (熱い) ですね！気をつけて！
彼は昨日から寝ていないみたいで、とても _______ (疲れる)。
あの子はとても _______ (賢い) ね！
この橋は古くて _______ (壊れる)。
あの店のラーメンは _______ (美味しい)。
今日は空が暗くて、雨が _______ (降る)。
このかばんはとても _______ (丈夫) ですね。
彼女の話は _______ (面白い)。
この靴は _______ (歩きやすい)。
この椅子は _______ (座りにくい) から、別のを使おう。

Answers:

熱そうだ (atsusou da)
疲れていそうだ (tsukareteisou da)
賢そうだ (kashikoso da)
壊れそうだ (kowaresou da)
美味しそうだ (oishisou da)
降りそうだ (furisou da)
丈夫そうだ (joubusou da)
面白そうだ (omoshirosou da)
歩きやすそうだ (arukiyasusou da)
座りにくそうだ (suwarinikusou da)

Conclusion

Mastering 〜そうだ (Appearance) Form is a great way to express observations and predictions based on how things look. Whether describing someone’s emotions, the taste of food, or a future event, this grammar pattern helps make your Japanese sound more natural and fluent.

By understanding its conjugation rules, differences from hearsay 〜そうだ, and special cases, you can use it confidently in daily conversations. Keep practicing with real-life examples, and soon, you’ll be able to describe appearances effortlessly in Japanese!

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to explore more Japanese grammar lessons and keep improving your language skills.

Happy learning! 😊

JAPANESE

Japanese Verb Conjugation: Dictionary, ます, and Negative Forms

Mastering the Japanese Te-Form: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Japanese たい Form: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Expressions of Ability in Japanese

Understanding Japanese Verb Groups: A Beginner’s Guide

〜そうだ (Hearsay): Expressing Reported Speech in Japanese

〜そうだ (Appearance): Expressing ‘Looks Like’ in Japanese

〜そうだ (Hearsay) vs 〜そうだ (Appearance): Understanding the Difference

February 14, 2025

Passive Form of Verbs in Japanese | My Language Classes

Understanding Passive Form in Japanese

The passive form (受身形, うけみけい) in Japanese is used in various situations, primarily to describe actions where the subject is affected by someone else’s actions. Unlike in English, where the passive voice is often avoided, Japanese frequently uses it in daily conversations and formal writing. In this blog post, we will thoroughly explore the formation and usage of passive verbs in different contexts.

Usage of Passive Form in Japanese

The passive form is used in the following situations:

When someone is negatively affected by an action (被害受身 – ひがいうけみ)
- Japanese: 私は弟にケーキを食べられました。
- Romaji: Watashi wa otōto ni kēki o taberaremashita.
- Meaning: I had my cake eaten by my younger brother.
When describing an event from the perspective of the affected person
- Japanese: 私は先生にほめられました。
- Romaji: Watashi wa sensei ni homeraremashita.
- Meaning: I was praised by my teacher.
When discussing historical or public events
- Japanese: このお寺は100年前に建てられました。
- Romaji: Kono otera wa hyaku nen mae ni tateraremashita.
- Meaning: This temple was built 100 years ago.
When avoiding mentioning the doer explicitly (formal, impersonal expressions)
- Japanese: 日本ではお米が多く食べられています。
- Romaji: Nihon de wa okome ga ōku taberareteimasu.
- Meaning: Rice is widely eaten in Japan.
When talking about natural phenomena
- Japanese: その山は雪で覆われています。
- Romaji: Sono yama wa yuki de ōwareteimasu.
- Meaning: That mountain is covered with snow.
In literary or poetic expressions
- Japanese: 彼女の歌は世界中で聞かれています。
- Romaji: Kanojo no uta wa sekaijū de kikareteimasu.
- Meaning: Her songs are heard all over the world.

Formation of Passive Verbs

Japanese verbs are categorized into three groups. The passive form is formed differently for each group.

Group 1 (Ichidan verbs / 一段動詞)

Formation: Drop the final る and add られる

Verb	Potential Form	Passive Form	Example Sentence (Japanese)	Romaji	Meaning
食べる (たべる)	食べられる	食べられる	私は友達にお菓子を食べられた。	Watashi wa tomodachi ni okashi o taberareta.	I had my sweets eaten by a friend.
見る (みる)	見られる	見られる	私の秘密はみんなに見られた。	Watashi no himitsu wa minna ni mirareta.	My secret was seen by everyone.
教える (おしえる)	教えられる	教えられる	日本語は先生に教えられた。	Nihongo wa sensei ni oshierareta.	Japanese was taught by the teacher.

Group 2 (Godan verbs / 五段動詞)

Formation: Change the final u sound to a sound and add れる

Verb	Potential Form	Passive Form	Example Sentence (Japanese)	Romaji	Meaning
書く (かく)	書ける	書かれる	私の名前が黒板に書かれた。	Watashi no namae ga kokuban ni kakareta.	My name was written on the blackboard.
読む (よむ)	読める	読まれる	この本は多くの人に読まれた。	Kono hon wa ōku no hito ni yomareta.	This book was read by many people.
言う (いう)	言える	言われる	先生に「すごい」と言われた。	Sensei ni “sugoi” to iwareta.	I was told “amazing” by the teacher.

Group 3 (Irregular verbs / 不規則動詞)

Verb	Potential Form	Passive Form	Example Sentence (Japanese)	Romaji	Meaning
する	できる	される	彼の仕事は上司に評価された。	Kare no shigoto wa jōshi ni hyōka sareta.	His work was evaluated by the boss.
来る (くる)	来られる	来られる	私の家に友達が来られた。	Watashi no ie ni tomodachi ga korareta.	A friend came to my house.

More Example Sentences

彼は友達にからかわれた。 (Kare wa tomodachi ni karakawareta.) – He was teased by his friends.
雨が降って、試合が中止された。 (Ame ga futte, shiai ga chūshi sareta.) – The match was canceled due to rain.
私の自転車が盗まれた。 (Watashi no jitensha ga nusumareta.) – My bicycle was stolen.
その映画は世界中で見られている。 (Sono eiga wa sekaijū de mirareteiru.) – The movie is being watched worldwide.
彼は先生に叱られた。 (Kare wa sensei ni shikarareta.) – He was scolded by the teacher.
この本は多くの人に読まれた。 (Kono hon wa ōku no hito ni yomareta.) – This book was read by many people.
先生に質問が聞かれた。 (Sensei ni shitsumon ga kikareta.) – A question was asked by the teacher.
日本では魚がよく食べられる。 (Nihon de wa sakana ga yoku taberareru.) – Fish is often eaten in Japan.
その話は新聞に書かれていた。 (Sono hanashi wa shinbun ni kakareteita.) – That story was written in the newspaper.
彼の名前は歴史に残されている。 (Kare no namae wa rekishi ni nokosareteiru.) – His name is left in history.

Fill in the Blanks Exercise:

私の名前が黒板に＿＿＿＿。
先生にほめ＿＿＿＿。
私は友達にお弁当を＿＿＿＿。
その建物は100年前に＿＿＿＿。
その映画はたくさんの人に＿＿＿＿。
宿題が＿＿＿＿。
彼は友達に＿＿＿＿。
その話は新聞に＿＿＿＿。
日本では魚がよく＿＿＿＿。
彼の仕事は上司に＿＿＿＿。

Answers:

書かれた 2. られた 3. 食べられた 4. 建てられた 5. 見られた 6. された 7. からかわれた 8. 書かれた 9. 食べられる 10. 評価された

Things to Keep in Mind

Passive verbs often imply an indirect effect on the subject.
Passive form is commonly used in formal writing and polite speech.
Certain verbs are more frequently used in passive form, such as 言う (to say), 書く (to write), and する (to do).
When the subject is negatively affected, the nuance of 被害受身 (negative passive) comes into play.
Passive sentences often omit the doer (agent) for a softer, indirect tone.

Conclusion

Mastering the passive form of verbs in Japanese is crucial for fluency and understanding natural speech patterns. It is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. By practicing passive verb conjugations and understanding their nuanced usage, learners can improve their comprehension and communication skills in Japanese effectively. Keep practicing and using these forms in daily conversation to become more proficient!

Happy learning! 😊

JAPANESE

Japanese Verb Conjugation: Dictionary, ます, and Negative Forms

Mastering the Japanese Te-Form: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Japanese たい Form: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Expressions of Ability in Japanese

Understanding Japanese Verb Groups: A Beginner’s Guide

〜そうだ (Hearsay): Expressing Reported Speech in Japanese

〜そうだ (Appearance): Expressing ‘Looks Like’ in Japanese

〜そうだ (Hearsay) vs 〜そうだ (Appearance): Understanding the Difference

February 4, 2025

Potential Form of Verbs in Japanese | My Language Classes

Understanding Potential Form

The potential form (可能形, かのうけい) of verbs in Japanese expresses the ability or possibility to do something. This form is widely used in everyday conversations to talk about what someone can or cannot do.

Usage of Potential Form in Different Situations

Expressing Ability
- 日本語を話せます。(I can speak Japanese.)
Expressing Capability
- ここから富士山が見えます。(You can see Mount Fuji from here.)
Expressing Permission
- この図書館では本を借りられます。(You can borrow books in this library.)
Expressing Physical or Situational Possibility
- 今日は忙しいので、映画に行けません。(I am busy today, so I can’t go to the movies.)
Expressing Potential in Hypothetical Scenarios
- 彼が来たら、もっと話せると思います。(If he comes, I think I will be able to talk more.)
Asking About Ability
- ピアノが弾けますか？ (Can you play the piano?)
Denying Capability
- 漢字が読めません。(I can’t read kanji.)
Expressing Limited Ability (Using なら)
- スペイン語なら話せます。(If it’s Spanish, I can speak it.)

Formation of Potential Form

Japanese verbs are categorized into three groups, and the potential form is formed differently for each.

Group 1 (Godan Verbs / 五段動詞)

For 五段動詞 (Godan verbs), replace the final う sound with える.

Dictionary Form	Potential Form	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
書く (to write)	書ける	日本語が書けます。(I can write in Japanese.)	漢字が書けません。(I can’t write kanji.)
行く (to go)	行ける	明日、海に行けます。(I can go to the beach tomorrow.)	東京には行けません。(I can’t go to Tokyo.)
話す (to speak)	話せる	日本語が話せますか？(Can you speak Japanese?)	彼は英語が話せません。(He can’t speak English.)
飲む (to drink)	飲める	お酒が飲めますか？(Can you drink alcohol?)	ビールが飲めません。(I can’t drink beer.)
泳ぐ (to swim)	泳げる	彼は速く泳げます。(He can swim fast.)	海では泳げません。(I can’t swim in the sea.)
買う (to buy)	買える	この店でケーキが買えます。(You can buy cakes at this shop.)	今日は買えません。(I can’t buy it today.)
作る (to make)	作れる	美味しい料理が作れます。(I can make delicious food.)	パンは作れません。(I can’t make bread.)

Group 2 (Ichidan Verbs / 一段動詞)

For 一段動詞 (Ichidan verbs), replace る with られる.

Dictionary Form	Potential Form	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
食べる (to eat)	食べられる	何でも食べられます。(I can eat anything.)	魚が食べられません。(I can’t eat fish.)
見る (to see)	見られる	この映画が見られます。(You can watch this movie.)	明日は見られません。(I can’t watch it tomorrow.)
着る (to wear)	着られる	和服が着られます。(I can wear a kimono.)	その服は着られません。(I can’t wear those clothes.)
起きる (to wake up)	起きられる	朝6時に起きられます。(I can wake up at 6 AM.)	今日は早く起きられません。(I can’t wake up early today.)
忘れる (to forget)	忘れられる	昨日のことが忘れられます。(I can forget about yesterday.)	その話は忘れられません。(I can’t forget that story.)

Group 3 (Irregular Verbs / 不規則動詞)

The two irregular verbs in Japanese have unique potential forms.

Dictionary Form	Potential Form	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
する (to do)	できる	サッカーができます。(I can play soccer.)	今日は運動ができません。(I can’t exercise today.)
来る (to come)	来られる	彼は会議に来られます。(He can come to the meeting.)	明日は来られません。(I can’t come tomorrow.)

More Example Sentences

私は日本語が話せます。
(I can speak Japanese.) → [Godan Verb: 話す → 話せる]
この店ではケーキが買えます。
(You can buy cakes at this shop.) → [Godan Verb: 買う → 買える]
今日は早く起きられません。
(I can’t wake up early today.) → [Ichidan Verb: 起きる → 起きられる]
この映画はネットで見られます。
(You can watch this movie online.) → [Ichidan Verb: 見る → 見られる]
ピアノが弾けますか？
(Can you play the piano?) → [Godan Verb: 弾く → 弾ける]
彼は速く泳げます。
(He can swim fast.) → [Godan Verb: 泳ぐ → 泳げる]
明日は学校に行けません。
(I can’t go to school tomorrow.) → [Godan Verb: 行く → 行ける]
この本は図書館で借りられます。
(You can borrow this book from the library.) → [Ichidan Verb: 借りる → 借りられる]
サッカーができますか？
(Can you play soccer?) → [Irregular Verb: する → できる]
彼は明日の会議に来られます。
(He can come to tomorrow’s meeting.) → [Irregular Verb: 来る → 来られる]

These examples cover various real-life situations where the potential form is commonly used. Let me know in comment if you need more examples!

Fill in the Blanks Exercise:

日本語が____ますか？ (Can you speak Japanese?)
この映画はネットで____ます。 (You can watch this movie online.)
今日は早く____ません。 (I can’t wake up early today.)
美味しい料理が____ますか？ (Can you make delicious food?)
ここでは写真を____ません。 (You can’t take pictures here.)
彼女はピアノが____ません。 (She can’t play the piano.)
この店ではケーキが____ます。 (You can buy cakes at this shop.)
その本が____ますか？ (Can you read that book?)
彼は会議に____ますか？ (Can he come to the meeting?)
お酒が____ません。 (I can’t drink alcohol.)

Answers

話せ
見られ
起きられ
作れ
撮れ
弾け
買え
読め
来られ
飲め

Notes on Usage

Shortened Form of Ichidan Verbs: In casual speech, some people drop ら from られる and say 食べれる, 見れる, etc. However, this is considered informal and not grammatically standard.
Using を or が: When using potential form, the object marker を is often replaced with が.
- Correct: 漢字が書ける。
- Acceptable (less common): 漢字を書ける。
Negative Form: Add ない to the potential form.
- 漢字が読めない (I can’t read kanji.)
Polite Form: Add ます to the potential form.
- 漢字が読めます (I can read kanji.)

Mastering the potential form will help you express what you can and cannot do in Japanese fluently! Try using it in daily conversations to reinforce your understanding. 頑張ってください！ (Good luck!)

Happy learning! 😊

JAPANESE

Japanese Verb Conjugation: Dictionary, ます, and Negative Forms

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