N465/179

らしい ①

Plain form + らしい

Meanings

Seems like
Apparently
I heard

About this pattern

Explanation

Expresses inference or hearsay about something observed or reported. It softens a claim by suggesting it seems to be the case from appearance or information you’ve heard. Attach らしい to the plain form of adjectives, nouns, or verbs as appropriate to convey uncertainty or speculation, similar to saying “it seems …” or “I hear that …” in English.

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Example sentences

今日は雨らしい。

It seems it's going to rain today.

彼は日本人らしい。

He seems to be Japanese.

明日は休みらしい。

I heard that tomorrow is a holiday.

Related patterns

Or something; Any... (with question words); No matter (who)

easy to (do); likely to (happen); easy to be affected by

Difficult to; Hard to; Not easy to do something

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More N4 patterns

Or something; Any... (with question words); No matter (who)

easy to (do); likely to (happen); easy to be affected by

Difficult to; Hard to; Not easy to do something

Gradually; Little by little; Step by step

more and more; rapidly; increasing quickly; progressively

We/They/You all (plural forms); These/Those (plural demonstratives); Plural suffix for certain pronouns and demonstratives