情報の もと (jouhou no moto) — Where the information came from
The same fact takes a different form depending on how you came to know it.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
- Before choosing a form in Japanese, ask one question: how did I come to know this?
- The answer decides the form.
- Heard it or read it, source clear → そうです.
- Heard it, but not sure where, it is word going around → らしいです.
- Saw it myself and worked it out → ようです.
- Saw it myself, but I am chatting with a friend → みたいです.
- Picked it up straight through my nose, ears or tongue → 音が します, においが します.
- And if you only want to compare one thing to another, use のように / のような.
Also
Which to pick? Remember the source — heard it → そうです, saw it → ようです; and when you are unsure, ようです is the safe one.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
田中さんは 結婚するそうです。
たなかさんは けっこんするそうです。
Tanaka is getting married, I hear (straight from Tanaka).
田中さんは 結婚するらしいです。
たなかさんは けっこんするらしいです。
Apparently Tanaka is getting married (word is going around the office).
田中さんは 結婚するようです。
たなかさんは けっこんするようです。
Tanaka seems to be getting married (I saw the ring).
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Which do you need to pass on news you heard on TV?
💡 Hint: The source is clear and you heard it.
ニュースに よると、〜そうです — passing on what you heard as it came.
Seeing shoes at the door, which says "someone seems to have come"?
💡 Hint: You saw the evidence with your own eyes.
A conclusion drawn from evidence you saw = ようです.
Which form do you use when your nose picks up a smell directly?
💡 Hint: This is not a guess; it is direct experience.
What the senses pick up takes します; only the guess you build on it takes ようです.
Your score: /3