看起來/好像 (looks like) and 好像 (seems like) express observations or uncertainty.
Visual observation - What something looks like
Impression - What seems to be the case
Uncertainty - Hedging a statement
好像 can also mean "as if" in comparisons.
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
看起來 is visual; 好像 is broader
- 看起來很好吃 = looks delicious (visual)
- 好像很好吃 = seems delicious (any sense)
好像 can introduce comparisons
- 他好像不高興 = He seems unhappy
- 他好像生病了一樣 = He''s like he''s sick
He looks very tired.
This place seems popular.
You look like you want to say something.
It seems it is going to rain.
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