Expressing "It Seems": انگار and گویا
When making guesses based on observations, use انگار or گویا to say "it seems," "apparently," or "looks like."
| as if / it seems | گویاguyâ |
Both words are typically placed at the beginning of the clause they modify. انگار is the standard, everyday choice, while گویا carries a slightly more formal tone.
The Indicative Mood for Realistic Assumptions
For realistic guesses, the verb remains in the indicative mood (the standard present or past tense).
| It seems the new neighbor is making a lot of noise. | انگار همسایهی جدید خیلی سر و صدا میکند.engâr hamsâye-ye jadid kheyli sar o sedâ mikonad. |
| It seems the nosy woman is snooping in the yard. | گویا زن فضول در حیاط سرک میکشد.guyâ zan-e fozul dar hayât sarak mikeshad. |
This also applies to past and perfect tenses:
| This was one of the worst conflicts, but it seems they have compromised. | این یکی از بدترین درگیریها بود، اما انگار آنها سازش کردهاند.in yeki az badtarin dargiri-hâ bud, ammâ engâr ânhâ sâzesh karde-and. |
Acting "As If": The Subjunctive Mood
To describe hypothetical behavior ("as if"), use انگار with phrases like اینطور رفتار میکند که... (behaves as if...). Since this describes a hypothetical scenario rather than a confirmed fact, the verb following انگار must take the subjunctive mood (such as باشد instead of the standard present tense).
| He behaves as if he were nosy. | او اینطور رفتار میکند که انگار فضول باشد.u intowr raftâr mikonad ke angâr fozul bâshad. |
For past hypothetical actions, the verb shifts into the perfect subjunctive:
| They behave as if the conflict has ended. | آنها اینطور رفتار میکنند که انگار درگیری تمام شده باشد.ânhâ in-tor raftâr mikonand ke engâr dargiri tamâm shode bâshad. |
