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Japanese

ようすをうかがう
Meaning: to gauge the situation; to watch how things are going
Part of Speech: Phrase, Verb

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Verb inflections

Verb inflections
Form Affirmative Negative
Present 様子を伺う 様子を伺わない
Polite 様子を伺います 様子を伺いません
Past 様子を伺った 様子を伺わなかった
Polite + Past 様子を伺いました 様子を伺いませんでした
Te-form 様子を伺って 様子を伺わなくて
Potential 様子を伺える 様子を伺えない
Passive 様子を伺われる 様子を伺われない
Causative 様子を伺わせる 様子を伺わせない
Causative + Passive 様子を伺わされる 様子を伺わされない
Imperative 様子を伺え 様子を伺うな

Example

初めての店に入ると、まず周りの様子を伺う。
When I enter a new shop, I first gauge the atmosphere around me.

Usage Notes

Used when quietly observing a person's reaction or the surrounding situation before deciding what to do.

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