Usage

In Japanese grammar, the construction "adverb + nari + sou" (〜なりそう) is used to express the potentiality or likelihood of a situation or condition. This construction is often used to describe something that seems like it will happen or looks like it is about to happen. Components and Formation:

Adverb (副詞, fukushi): This modifies the verb to describe how the action is happening.
Nari (なり): This comes from the verb なる (naru), which means "to become."
Sou (そう): This is a suffix that indicates hearsay or that something appears to be the case.

Usage:

The construction "adverb + nari + sou" can be used to describe how something looks like it is about to happen based on some observable condition or information.

Example Adverbs:

速く (hayaku) - quickly
静かに (shizuka ni) - quietly
たくさん (takusan) - a lot, plentifully

Examples: 1. 速くなりそう (Hayaku nari sou)

速く (hayaku): Quickly
なり (nari): From なる (naru), meaning "to become"
そう (sou): Seems like
Meaning: It looks like it will become fast / It seems like it will be quick.

  1. 静かになりそう (Shizuka ni nari sou)

    静かに (shizuka ni): Quietly なり (nari): From なる (naru), meaning "to become" そう (sou): Seems like Meaning: It looks like it will become quiet / It seems like it will be quiet.

  2. たくさんなりそう (Takusan nari sou)

    たくさん (takusan): Plentifully, a lot なり (nari): From なる (naru), meaning "to become" そう (sou): Seems like Meaning: It looks like it will become a lot / It seems like there will be a lot.

Breakdown:

Adverb: Describes how the action of becoming will take place.
Nari (なり): Indicates the action of becoming.
Sou (そう): Indicates the speaker's judgment or perception that the action is likely to occur.

Example Sentences:

このプロジェクトは速くなりそうです。 (Kono purojekuto wa hayaku nari sou desu.)
    This project seems like it will be completed quickly.
夜になったら静かになりそうですね。 (Yoru ni nattara shizuka ni nari sou desu ne.)
    It looks like it will become quiet at night, doesn't it?
今年の収穫はたくさんなりそうです。 (Kotoshi no shuukaku wa takusan nari sou desu.)
    It seems like this year's harvest will be plentiful.

Summary:

The construction "adverb + nari + sou" (〜なりそう) is used to describe the potentiality or likelihood of a situation or condition. It combines an adverb to describe the manner, "nari" from なる (naru) meaning "to become," and "sou" to indicate that something appears likely or is expected to happen. This structure helps convey the speaker's anticipation or prediction based on observable evidence or information.