V/A + -(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 모양이다 – It Appears / Looks Like (Objective Inference)
Meaning: It appears that; it looks as though
Conjugation & Pattern
- Present: Verb (and 있다/없다) + -는 모양이다 | Adjective + -(으)ㄴ 모양이다 | Noun + 인 모양이다
- Past: Verb + -(으)ㄴ 모양이다 | Adjective + -았/었던 모양이다
- Future: V/A + -(으)ㄹ 모양이다 | Noun + 일 모양이다
Detailed Usage
Used when the speaker infers a situation based on observable external evidence or circumstances (frequently preceded by '-(으)ㄴ/는 걸 보니까').
Example Sentences
- 1
방에 불이 꺼진 걸 보니까 동생이 벌써 자는 모양이에요.
Bange buri kkeojin geol bonikka dongsaengi beolsseo janeun moyangieyo.
Seeing that the light in the room is off, it appears my younger sibling is already sleeping.
- 2
하늘에 먹구름이 잔뜩 낀 걸 보니 곧 비가 올 모양입니다.
Haneure meokgureumi jantteuk kkin geol boni got biga ol moyangimnida.
Looking at the dark clouds filling the sky, it looks like it is going to rain soon.
- 3
두 사람이 날마다 같이 다니는 걸 보니까 서로 사귀는 모양이에요.
Du sarami nalmada gati danineun geol bonikka seoro sagwineun moyangieyo.
Seeing the two of them going around together every day, it seems they are dating.
Important Notes
CRITICAL NOTES: (1) Never use '-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다' to describe the first-person speaker's own direct experience (e.g., say '먹어 봤는데 맛있는 것 같다', never '맛있는 모양이다'); (2) Do not use it for purely subjective guesses without external evidence.
