〜ようで(いて)
you de (ite)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
seems … but (actually) …; appears X, yet …
〜ようで(いて) contrasts how something looks with how it really is. 冷たいようでいて、実は思いやりがある = "He seems cold, but is actually considerate". ようだ is "seems"; で links to the contrasting truth; いて (from いる) stresses that the appearance persists while the reality differs.
Both spoken and written, common in character descriptions, reviews, and essays. The second half often has 実は / 意外に / 案外 / なかなか. ようで alone is lighter; ようでいて makes the discrepancy stronger.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
普通形 + ようで(いて) (簡単なようで・仲がいいようでいて)N + の + ようで(いて)なA + な + ようで(いて)Second half: 実は / 意外に / 案外 + the reality
Visual diagram
- Step 1彼は冷たいhow he appears
- Step 2彼は冷たいようでいて"he seems cold, and yet…"
- Step 3実は思いやりがあるthe reality behind the appearance
Natural examples
彼は冷たいようでいて、実は思いやりがある。
かれはつめたいようでいて、じつはおもいやりがある。
He seems cold, but is actually considerate.
Appearance (cold) vs reality (considerate); 実は marks the switch.
簡単なようで、この問題は意外に難しい。
かんたんなようで、このもんだいはいがいにむずかしい。
This problem looks simple but is surprisingly difficult.
簡単なようで: な-adjective + な; 意外に signals the surprise.
二人は仲がいいようでいて、本音は言い合わない。
ふたりはなかがいいようでいて、ほんねはいいあわない。
The two seem close, but they never tell each other their true feelings.
ようでいて strengthens the discrepancy about the two friends.
この仕事は楽なようでいて、実はかなり神経を使う。
このしごとはらくなようでいて、じつはかなりしんけいをつかう。
This job looks easy, but in fact it takes a lot of nervous energy.
楽な + ようでいて.
彼女は何も考えていないようで、案外いろいろ計算している。
かのじょはなにもかんがえていないようで、あんがいいろいろけいさんしている。
She seems not to be thinking about anything, but she is actually quite calculating.
ようで without いて is lighter.
Similar grammar and the difference
"As if" describing a resemblance (まるで夢かのようだ). ようでいて sets appearance against reality. Compare side by side
Two real sides of the same thing (便利な反面、危険だ). ようでいて says the first side is only an appearance. Compare side by side
"I thought X, but unexpectedly Y": a past expectation overturned by events. ようでいて is a general observation about appearance vs reality. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼は冷たいようでいて、本当に冷たい。
- ✓
- 彼は冷たいようでいて、実は優しい。
- Why
- The second half must contradict the appearance.
- ✗
- 簡単ようで
- ✓
- 簡単なようで
- Why
- な-adjectives need な before ようで.
- ✗
- この店は安いようでいて。
- ✓
- この店は安いようでいて、実は高い。
- Why
- ようでいて cannot end a sentence; the reality must follow.
Typical second-half markers: 実は・意外に・案外・なかなか・かえって. Common in reviews: 単純なようでいて奥が深い ("seemingly simple but deep"). ようでいて sounds slightly literary; in casual speech ようで or みたいで is enough.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- In 文法形式の判断, an appearance + a blank + 実は / 意外に + the opposite is ようで(いて). Check for な after な-adjectives.
- Distractor 反面: it presents two genuine sides, so 実は would not appear.
- In 並べ替え, ようでいて follows the appearance word; 実は begins the reality clause.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ようで(いて) mean?
seems … but (actually) …; appears X, yet …. 〜ようで(いて) contrasts how something looks with how it really is. 冷たいようでいて、実は思いやりがある = "He seems cold, but is actually considerate". ようだ is "seems"; で links to the contrasting truth; いて (from いる) stresses that the appearance persists while the reality differs.
How do you form 〜ようで(いて)?
普通形 + ようで(いて) (簡単なようで・仲がいいようでいて) / N + の + ようで(いて) / なA + な + ようで(いて) / Second half: 実は / 意外に / 案外 + the reality. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜ようで(いて) used?
Both spoken and written, common in character descriptions, reviews, and essays. The second half often has 実は / 意外に / 案外 / なかなか. ようで alone is lighter; ようでいて makes the discrepancy stronger.
What is the difference between 〜ようで(いて) and 〜かのようだ?
"As if" describing a resemblance (まるで夢かのようだ). ようでいて sets appearance against reality.
What is the difference between 〜ようで(いて) and 〜反面?
Two real sides of the same thing (便利な反面、危険だ). ようでいて says the first side is only an appearance.
What is a common mistake with 〜ようで(いて)?
Wrong: 彼は冷たいようでいて、本当に冷たい。 Right: 彼は冷たいようでいて、実は優しい。 The second half must contradict the appearance.
Quick check
この問題は簡単な（ ）、実は多くの学生が間違える。