52798
In most cases, そう or よう work fine for explaining perceptions like 'looks
like'. However, in English, it's possible to be more specific, for example,
using 'sounds like' instead.

This occurred to me when I could hear fireworks out the window, but couldn't
see where they were. I could explain that they seem close by saying 花火は近そうです
or something similar. However, I'd have thought this would imply that I can
see them, and they look close.

I think direct translation would be 花火は近く聞こえるようです、but I'm not entirely sure
that has the intended meaning, or even makes sense at all.

Is it possible to express specifically that the fireworks _sound close_ rather
than looking close, or must it be explained otherwise, by saying that they
sound loud, or that I can't see them?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-28T16:35:07.187
52785
2017-08-31T10:36:56.523
22689
question
grammar
Providing Further Detail When Using そう、よう、etc
You can say ...の音が近い. And it implies the distance between you and a sound
source is close (in this case fireworks). 花火は近そうです explains you have the
mental image of "the distance between I and fireworks seems close" concluded
by what you actually hear it or what you see it or what you are told by
someone else and so on. After or before that, you can give more opinions by
saying loud or something else.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-29T02:18:45.163
52798
2017-08-31T10:36:56.523
2017-08-31T10:36:56.523
52785
answer