GRAMMAR
〜そう（動詞）
seems like it is going to ~
Explanation
NOTE
When attached to verbs, そう expresses that something looks like it is about to happen. You are judging from the current situation that an action is imminent.
NOTE
Remove ます from the masu-form and add そう. For example, 降ります becomes 降りそう — it looks like it will rain.
STRUCTURE
Vます
そう雨が降りそうだ。
Ame ga furisou da.
It looks like it is going to rain.
この荷物は落ちそうだ。
Kono nimotsu wa ochisou da.
This luggage looks like it is going to fall.
彼は泣きそうだ。
Kare wa nakisou da.
He looks like he is about to cry.
Practice exercises
1
交渉が決まりそうな雰囲気だったが、最後に崩れた。
The negotiation seemed like it was about to be settled, but it fell apart at the end.
Answer
決まりそう
2
電車が来そうだ。
The train looks like it is about to come.
Answer
そう
3
雪が降りそうだ。
It looks like it is going to snow.
Answer
そう
4
ボタンが取れそうだ。
The button looks like it is about to come off.
Answer
そう
5
雨が降りそうだ。
It looks like it is going to rain.
Answer
降りそう
6
ボタンが取れそうだ。
The button looks like it is about to come off.
Answer
取れそう
7
荷物が落ちそうだったので、急いで支えた。
The luggage looked like it was about to fall, so I quickly supported it.
Answer
落ちそう
8
彼は疲れて倒れそうだったので、休ませた。
He looked like he was about to collapse from exhaustion, so I let him rest.
Answer
倒れそう