らしい ①

JLPT Level: N4

Meanings

Seems like

Apparently

I heard

Usage

Plain form + らしい

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.

今日は雨らしい。

きょうはあめらしい。

It seems it's going to rain today.

彼は日本人らしい。

かれはにほんじんらしい。

He seems to be Japanese.

明日は休みらしい。

あしたはやすみらしい。

I heard that tomorrow is a holiday.