らしい ①
Seems like, Apparently, I heard
Structure
［い］Adjective + らしい
［な］Adjective + らしい
Noun + らしい
Explanation
The auxiliary verb らしい is quite similar to the auxiliary verbs そうだ and ようだ, as it is used to express something the speaker has reason to believe is true. This grammatical function is known as 推定 (presumption) in Japanese. However, while it is a presumption, らしい generally conveys a reasonable degree of confidence.
らしい is frequently translated into English as 'it seems that (A)', or 'I hear that (A)'.
To use らしい, simply add it after the plain form of a verb, an adjective, or a noun.
- ねえ、駅の近くに新しいパン屋さんができるらしいよ。Hey, it seems that a new bakery is opening near the station.
- あのレストランのラーメンはとてもおいしいらしいよ。I've heard that the ramen at that restaurant is really delicious.
- 田中さんが話していたことは、嘘らしいですよ。Apparently, what Tanaka-san was saying was a lie.
- あの方は有名な医者らしいよ。I hear that person is a famous doctor.
In these examples, らしい suggests the speaker has a basis for their statement—perhaps something they were told, saw, or read—but they are not completely certain it is correct. In this respect, its meaning is very close to the English phrase 'it appears as though (A)'.
- テレビで見たんだけど、週末に台風が来るらしいよ。I saw this on TV, but it appears as though a typhoon is coming this weekend.
Caution
Japanese has two primary uses for らしい. The first is the auxiliary verb form discussed above. The second is as a 形容詞の一部 (auxiliary adjective), which must be attached to another word to function. In this adjectival role, らしい carries the meaning of being 'typical of (A)' or '-(A)-like'.
- ケンジさんは本当にサムライらしいね。Kenji is a real samurai, isn't he? (He embodies the typical qualities of a samurai)
- やっと夏らしい暑さになったね。The heat is finally becoming summer-like, don't you think? (Heat that is typical of summer)
This い-Adjective function of らしい will be explored in more detail in our second らしい lesson.
Examples
山田さんは仕事を辞めるらしいです。
I heard that Yamada-san is quitting his job.
明日は雨らしい。
It looks like it's going to rain tomorrow.
北海道の冬はかなり寒いらしい。
I've heard that winters in Hokkaido are quite cold.
新しい先生は親切らしいですよ。
Apparently, the new teacher is kind.
昨日、この近所で事故があったらしい。
I heard there was an accident in this neighborhood yesterday.
彼はもうここに来ないらしい。
It seems he isn't coming here anymore.
駅前の新しいカフェは、コーヒーがおいしいらしい。
I heard the new cafe in front of the station has delicious coffee.
その話は本当じゃないらしい。
Apparently, that story isn't true.
来月から電気代が上がるらしい。
It seems like electricity bills are going to go up from next month.
隣の家に新しい家族が引っ越してきたらしいよ。
I heard a new family moved in next door.
週末のイベントは雨で中止らしいです。
It seems the weekend event is canceled due to rain.
このアプリを使えば、無料で電話できるらしい。
I heard that you can make phone calls for free if you use this app.