ようだ

ようだ is used to express an inference or conclusion based on the speaker's impression, evidence, or sensory information. It’s softer than a definite statement and is often used when you infer something from what you’ve observed, heard, or remembered. It can indicate that something appears to be a certain way without claiming certainty. Use ようだ to report what seems to be the case, not what you know for sure. Its nuance is closer to “it looks like …” or “seems that …” rather than a firm fact. Compare with みたいだ (looks like, but based more on resemblance) and with だ/です for definite statements.