-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다
it appears that
Draws a conclusion from evidence you can see. Unlike 것 같다, it is only ever about other people or outside situations — never about yourself.
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When to use it
The form follows the modifier system: verbs take -는 모양이다, adjectives -(으)ㄴ 모양이다, completed actions -(으)ㄴ 모양이다, and things still ahead -(으)ㄹ 모양이다. Stems in ㄹ drop it.
You reason from something concrete: wet umbrellas by the door give 밖에 비가 오는 모양이에요. The inference is clearly signposted, which is why it suits reporting on others’ situations.
The restriction that catches learners: it cannot be used about yourself. You do not infer your own state from evidence, so 저는 피곤한 모양이에요 is wrong.
It sits slightly higher in register than -나 보다, which does much the same job in casual speech.
How to attach it
| Word type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb, present | -는 모양이다 | 오다 → 오는 모양이에요 |
| Verb, completed | -(으)ㄴ 모양이다 | 가다 → 간 모양이에요 |
| Adjective | -(으)ㄴ 모양이다 | 바쁘다 → 바쁜 모양이에요 |
| Still ahead | -(으)ㄹ 모양이다 | 갈 모양이에요 |
| Ends in ㄹ | ㄹ drops | 만들다 → 만드는 모양이에요 |
| Not about | yourself | 저는 아픈 모양이에요 is wrong |
In use
사람들이 우산을 들고 있네요. 밖에 비가 오는 모양이에요.
People are carrying umbrellas — it appears to be raining outside.
불이 꺼져 있는 걸 보니 벌써 간 모양이에요.
The lights are off, so it seems she’s already left.
연락이 없는 걸 보니 많이 바쁜 모양이에요.
He hasn’t been in touch, so he must be very busy.
짐을 싸는 걸 보니 여행을 갈 모양이에요.
From the packing, it looks like they’re going on a trip.
부엌이 시끄러운 걸 보니 뭘 만드는 모양이에요.
From the noise in the kitchen, someone seems to be cooking.
표정을 보니 시험을 잘 본 모양이에요.
Judging by her face, the exam seems to have gone well.
Compared with
-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다
것 같다 covers any impression, including about yourself, and is far more common. 모양이다 specifically marks an inference from external evidence.
제가 잘못한 것 같아요. (I think I erred) / 그 사람이 잘못한 모양이에요. (he appears to have erred)
-나 보다
Nearly the same meaning. -나 보다 is more colloquial; 모양이다 sounds a shade more considered and appears more in writing.
비가 오나 봐요. (casual) / 비가 오는 모양이에요. (measured)
-아/어 보이다
-아/어 보이다 reports how something looks directly; 모양이다 draws a conclusion from what you saw. One describes, the other reasons.
피곤해 보여요. (you look tired) / 피곤한 모양이에요. (he must be tired)
Watch out
저는 감기에 걸린 모양이에요.
저는 감기에 걸린 것 같아요.
You do not infer your own condition from outside evidence. For yourself, use 것 같다.
연락이 없는 걸 보니 바쁘는 모양이에요.
연락이 없는 걸 보니 바쁜 모양이에요.
바쁘다 is an adjective, so it takes -(으)ㄴ. -는 belongs to verbs.
부엌에서 뭘 만들는 모양이에요.
부엌에서 뭘 만드는 모양이에요.
Stems ending in ㄹ drop it before -는, as everywhere in the modifier system.
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