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Look at the expressions and movements: 「そうに」 describes how someone looks while doing an action.

Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 3

〜そうに〜~sou ni ~

appearance while doing something

Use 「〜そうに〜」 to describe the apparent state someone shows while doing an action.

How it works

Look at the expressions and movements: 「そうに」 describes how someone looks while doing an action.
For an い-adjective, remove 「い」 and add 「そうに」: 忙しい→忙しそうに.
For a な-adjective, leave out 「な」 and add 「そうに」 directly to the stem: 元気→元気そうに.
「忙しそうです」 describes an appearance; 「忙しそうに歩く」 links that appearance to the action of walking.
In the example 「痛そうにしています」, 「しています」 describes being in a state that shows pain.

痛いたitaそうにsouniしshiてteいます。いますimasu

They look like they're in pain.

みんなminna忙しいそがしisogashiそうにsouni歩いあるいaruiてteいますimasu

Everyone is walking busily.

A
あの人、ひとどうしましたか。か
A: What's wrong with that person?
B
疲れたつかれた様子ようすですね。ね
B: They look tired.
A
そうですね。ね何なんか困ったこまったように見えます。みえます
A: Yes, they look like they're having some trouble.
B
標識ひょうしきを見みていますね。ね
B: They're looking at the sign.

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
The guide is standing there, looking tired.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
ガイドさんが疲れ立っています。
The guide is standing there looking tired.