How do you use "seem" in a sentence?

She seems upset about something. It seems that we've taken the wrong turning. He doesn't seem to understand.

seem

Q: What does "seem" mean?

To give the impression of being; to appear 'Seem' expresses appearance or impression rather than certainty. It's often followed by an adjective ('seem happy'), an infinitive ('seem to know'), or 'like' ('seems like a good idea'). 'It seems that...' introduces observations. 'Seem' is more tentative than 'be', suggesting perception rather than fact.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To give the impression of being; to appear

似乎，好像

parecer

〜のようだ、〜に見える

~인 것 같다, ~처럼 보이다

'Seem' expresses appearance or impression rather than certainty. It's often followed by an adjective ('seem happy'), an infinitive ('seem to know'), or 'like' ('seems like a good idea'). 'It seems that...' introduces observations. 'Seem' is more tentative than 'be', suggesting perception rather than fact.

「seem」表达外观或印象，而非确定性。它通常后接形容词（「seem happy」）、不定式（「seem to know」）或「like」（「seems like a good idea」）。「It seems that...」引入观察。「seem」比「be」更加试探性，暗示感知而非事实。

«Seem» expresa apariencia o impresión más que certeza. A menudo le sigue un adjetivo («seem happy»), un infinitivo («seem to know») o «like» («seems like a good idea»). «It seems that...» introduce observaciones. «Seem» es más tentativo que «be», sugiriendo percepción más que hecho.

「seem」は確実性ではなく、外見や印象を表します。形容詞（「seem happy」）、不定詞（「seem to know」）、または「like」（「seems like a good idea」）が続くことが多いです。「It seems that...」は観察を導入します。「seem」は「be」より暫定的で、事実ではなく知覚を示唆します。

'Seem'은 확신이 아닌 인상이나 외관을 표현합니다. 형용사('seem happy'), 부정사('seem to know'), 또는 'like'('seems like a good idea')가 뒤따르는 경우가 많습니다. 'It seems that...'는 관찰한 바를 소개할 때 사용합니다. 'Seem'은 'be'보다 더 조심스러운 표현으로, 사실이 아닌 인식을 나타냅니다.

Examples

She seems upset about something.
她似乎为某事感到不安。
Ella parece disgustada por algo.
彼女は何かに動揺しているようです。
그녀는 무언가에 속상해하는 것 같습니다.
It seems that we've taken the wrong turning.
看来我们走错路了。
Parece que hemos tomado el camino equivocado.
道を間違えたようです。
길을 잘못 든 것 같습니다.
He doesn't seem to understand.
他好像不明白。
Él no parece entender.
彼は理解していないようです。
그는 이해하지 못하는 것 같습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Norse 'sœma' meaning 'to befit' or 'to conform to', related to 'sómr' (fitting, proper). The original sense was about things being fitting or suitable; the modern sense of 'appearing to be' developed in Middle English, shifting from propriety to perception.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal