どうやら
douyara
The English phrase 'apparently' is translated into Japanese as どうやら (douyara).
どうやら carries a stronger nuance of 'it seems as though' based on circumstantial evidence.
Meaning: seemingly (adv)
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'apparently' which can sometimes sound like a definitive report of hearsay, どうやら carries a stronger nuance of 'it seems as though' based on circumstantial evidence.
How does it change in a sentence?
In natural Japanese, the adverb どうやら is frequently paired with a conjectural verb ending like ようだ or みたいだ to complete the sense of 'apparently'. The adverb どうやら is typically placed at the beginning of the clause or sentence to set the tone of uncertainty or observation.
How do you pronounce it?
douyara
Did you know?
- The word どうやら can also be used as an adverb meaning 'somehow' or 'by some means' when paired with certain verbs. This adds a layer of 'by some miracle' or 'somehow it worked' to the sense of 'it seems'.
- Unlike English, where 'apparently' can be used sarcastically to mean 'obviously', どうやら is almost never used for irony or sarcasm.
- While どうやら expresses uncertainty, it is often used in Japanese to signal that the speaker has finally reached a conclusion after much investigation or doubt. It can imply 'at long last, it seems'.
Examples in context
- どうやら、熱があるみたいだ。Apparently, I have a fever.This sentence is useful for expressing a physical sensation or symptom using どうやら.Tatoeba #10611921 by small_snow, translation #4863359 by AlanF_US
- これは、どうやらいい文らしい。This is apparently a good sentence.This sentence shows how to use どうやら to describe the quality of something.Tatoeba #11485779 by small_snow, translation #3665408 by AlanF_US
- トムはどうやら3時間待ったらしい。Tom apparently waited for three hours.This sentence demonstrates using どうやら to describe a duration of time.Tatoeba #8596450 by small_snow, translation #8596438 by CK
- 雨が降るようですApparently, it's going to rain.
- 会議の様子から見たところでは、問題は解決しそうですApparently, it seems like the issue will be resolved based on the meeting's atmosphere.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are looking at the dark sky.
- 結衣 Yuiどうやら、雨が降りそうだね。Dōyara, ame ga furisō da ne.Apparently, it looks like it's going to rain.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。急いで帰ろう。Hontō da. Isoide kaerō.You're right. Let's hurry home.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、健太、傘持ってる？A, Kenta, kasa motteru?Oh, Kenta, do you have an umbrella?
- 健太 Kentaいや、持ってないよ。Iya, mottenai yo.No, I don't.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
