ようだ
様だ
yōda

Auxiliary Verb
Copula

1. it seems that ...; it appears that ...

Usually Written in Kana
このくるまはどこか具合ぐあいわるいようだ。
kono kurumawa dokoka guaiga warui yōda.
It seems that something is wrong with this car.
Auxiliary Verb
Copula

2. is like ...; is similar to ...

Usually Written in Kana
とうくかられば、そのおかぞうのようだ。
tōkukara mireba sono okawa zōno yōda.
Seen from a distance, the hill looks like an elephant.