Which one should you use?
良さそう is used specifically to describe an impression based on appearance. This differs from 良い, which is used to make a direct statement of fact that something is good.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 良さそう can be made polite by adding です to the end, resulting in 良さそうです. This polite version is suitable for use with strangers, colleagues or superiors. In informal settings, you might use Ii ne. to mean "Looks good."
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something looked good in the past, you can add the auxiliary verb でした to the end to form 良さそうでした. To use the phrase adverbially to describe how an action is being performed (e.g., "looking good"), add the particle に to form 良さそうに.
How do you pronounce it?
yosasō
When do people say it?
Depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey in a formal context, other phrases may be more appropriate: use Suteki desu ne. to convey that something looks "wonderful" or "lovely", or Kakkoii to omoimasu. to convey that something "looks cool" or "impressive".
Did you know?
- The word 良さそう actually contains a grammatical mutation. The original adjective 良い changes its spelling to 良さ before the suffix そう is attached, a change that doesn't happen with many other adjectives.
- If you see something that looks good and want to express an instinctive 'Wow!', you might use the exclamation いい感じ ('ii kanji'), which literally means 'good feeling'.
- In Japanese, describing a person as 良さそう is often considered indirect or even slightly impolite if you are trying to compliment their character. To praise a person's actual nature, it is more natural to use words for 'kindness' rather than 'looking good'.
Examples in context
- 今日のトムは調子が良さそうだ。Tom looks good today.This sentence is useful for describing how someone is doing or appearing today.Tatoeba #7577117 by Iwashi, translation #8232828 by josivangoncalves
- 彼は気立てが良さそうだ。He looks good-natured.This sentence is useful for describing someone's nature or temperament.Tatoeba #1160434 by mookeee, translation #10564163 by auxitt
- この新しいカメラ、良さそうですね。Kono atarashii kamera, yosasou desu ne.This new camera looks good, doesn't it?
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking at a menu in a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiこのケーキ、すごく良さそうだよ！Kono keeki, sugoku yosasou da yo!This cake looks really good!
- 陽太 Yota本当だね。美味しそうだ。Hontou da ne. Oishisou da.You're right. It looks delicious.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、これにしよう？Yota, kore ni shiyou?Yota, shall we go with this one?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、いいと思うよ。Un, ii to omou yo.Yeah, I think that's a good idea.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
