JLPTMainichi JLPT
English
JLPT N3 · Guessing & hearsay

ように見（み）える (you ni mieru)

～ように見える — “looks like ～ / seems ～”

In short · Describes how something appears to the eye, either as a comparison (looks like a sheep) or as an impression (looks tired). It attaches to a plain-form verb or adjective (な-adj + な), or noun + の. It is based on appearance, not on hearsay.
A free study page from Mainichi JLPT — the app has 429+ grammar points, plus vocabulary and mock exams.See the app

Pattern

  • 普通形＋ように見える looks as if ～ (impression)
  • 名詞＋のように見える looks like ～ (comparison)

Appearance, not certainty

The speaker describes what it looks like, without saying it is true. 疲れているように見える means “appears tired.” The real condition may be different.

Comparison

With a noun, the thing looks similar to something else: 羊のように見える雲. In a photo, 実物より大きいように見える shows that the impression differs from the real size.

Difference from ～そうだ and ～みたい

～そうに見える is also visual. ～ように見える can be used with a wider range, including when comparing. ～ように見える is natural for polite writing; ～みたいに見える is casual.

Examples

  • その雲（くも）は羊（ひつじ）のように見（み）える。

    Sono kumo wa hitsuji no you ni mieru.

    That cloud looks like a sheep.

  • この写真（しゃしん）だと、実物（じつぶつ）より大（おお）きいように見（み）える。

    Kono shashin da to, jitsubutsu yori ookii you ni mieru.

    In this photo, it looks bigger than it really is.

  • 少（すこ）し疲（つか）れているように見（み）えるけど、大丈夫（だいじょうぶ）ですか。

    Sukoshi tsukarete iru you ni mieru kedo, daijoubu desu ka.

    You look a little tired; are you all right?

Common mistakes

  • It describes sight only. For what you heard, use ～そうだ (hearsay) or ～らしい.
  • A noun needs の (羊のように), not な.

More grammar points

Practice this in the app

Mainichi JLPT turns these grammar points into daily quizzes and a readiness gauge — 100% free, no sign-up.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play

See the app