なさそう (nasa sō) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Does Not Look
Anna Baffa Volpe
5 min reading time
Updated on 27 January 2023
The structure なさそう (nasa sō) means does not look, does not seem like or seem unlikely to.
It is used with the plain negative form, so I think it is also an opportunity to review the ない form.
How なさそう is formed
We can use this structure with nouns, adjectives and verbs.
In the case of the verbs various forms are used combined with なさそう.
How and when なさそう is used
なさそう is the negative form of そう and they refer to something that looks or doesn't look in a certain way, which we intuitively feel after seeing or hearing about it.
なさそう with Adjectives
In the case of the Adjectives ending in い, let's remember to remove the vowel い at the end of the word.
このラーメン、そんなに辛くなさそう。
This ramen does not look so spicy.
このお菓子は美味しくなさそうだ。
This sweet doesn’t look tasty.
The adjective 良 becomes 良く+なさそう
あまり調子がよくなさそうだよ。
You don't look very well.
The Adjectives in な function like nouns, so the term is used without the kana な.
あの方は親切じゃなさそうだね。
That person doesn't seem very kind, does he?
なさそう with Nouns
彼は悪い人じゃなさそうだ。
He doesn't seem like a bad person.
自家製じゃなさそうだ。
That doesn't seem to be homemade.
自家製 is translated as adjective homemade; in Japanese, it has the function of noun.
なさそう with Verbs
We use the structure with the plain negative form but it is very common the form expressing desire by the suffix たい in the negative たくない.
He doesn't seem he will go
Let's consider now the form with the suffix たくない: don't / doesn't want to
- 行きたくない don't / doesn't want to go
From a post about Cat Behaviors:
行きたくなさそうな姿が可愛い！
It's cute the image of the cat that doesn't seem he wants to go.
Other examples:
あのチームは今年も優勝しなさそうだ。
It seems like that team is not going to win this year again.
彼は勉強しなさそうだ。
He doesn’t seem like he would study.
彼らは心配しなさそうだ。
It seems like they are not worried.
彼女はパーティに来なさそうだ。
She doesn't seem to come to party.
The verb ある that means there is / are, has its negative form as ない there isn't / aren/t and becomes なさそう.
急ぐ必要はなさそうだ。
There seems to be no need to hurry.
なさそう in the past
The past tense is expressed by the past form of the copula だ / です which becomes だった / でした.
彼女は興味がなさそうだった。
She did not seem interested.
なさそうな and なさそうに
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