Difference between 様子, 姿 and 格好


These are complicated words (at least to me) and I'm aware that they have
multiple meanings, but in the context of describing the appearance of
someone/something how do 様子, 姿 and 格好 differ? To what extent are they
interchangeable?




Basic differences (of relevant meanings of those words) are:

  * 様子 is modified by phrases saying about inner state. So it could be defined as an inner/mental state appearing outside.
  * 姿 is an overall outward appearance
  * 恰好 is also an outward appearance, but more specifically about clothes. It can refer to a shape as well.

By examples:

  1. 心配そうな{〇様子, △姿, ×恰好} _look of being worried_
  2. 心配している{△様子, 〇姿, ×恰好} _a figure who is worried_
  3. みすぼらしい{×様子, 〇姿, 〇恰好} _shabby_ implying poor clothes

△ for 心配している様子 is a bit exaggerating, but 心配している implies that it is a fact,
not inferred. 様子 fits less naturally.

  * 山の様子 _how the mountain is_ - if it is rainy, about to erupt etc.
  * 山の姿 _how the mountain looks_ - the appearance of the actual mountain.
  * (山の恰好 is an abbreviated form of 山向けの恰好, outfit for mountain climbing)

Cf. Relevant thesaurus entries.

  * [姿](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/thsrs/32/meaning/m1u/%E5%A7%BF/)
  * [様子](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/thsrs/13627/meaning/m1u/%E6%A7%98%E5%AD%90/)




Basic differences (of relevant meanings of those words) are:

  * 様子 is modified by phrases saying about inner state. So it could be defined as an inner/mental state appearing outside.
  * 姿 is an overall outward appearance
  * 恰好 is also an outward appearance, but more specifically about clothes. It can refer to a shape as well.

By examples:

  1. 心配そうな{〇様子, △姿, ×恰好} _look of being worried_
  2. 心配している{△様子, 〇姿, ×恰好} _a figure who is worried_
  3. みすぼらしい{×様子, 〇姿, 〇恰好} _shabby_ implying poor clothes

△ for 心配している様子 is a bit exaggerating, but 心配している implies that it is a fact,
not inferred. 様子 fits less naturally.

  * 山の様子 _how the mountain is_ - if it is rainy, about to erupt etc.
  * 山の姿 _how the mountain looks_ - the appearance of the actual mountain.
  * (山の恰好 is an abbreviated form of 山向けの恰好, outfit for mountain climbing)

Cf. Relevant thesaurus entries.

  * [姿](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/thsrs/32/meaning/m1u/%E5%A7%BF/)
  * [様子](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/thsrs/13627/meaning/m1u/%E6%A7%98%E5%AD%90/)

