〜らしい — Apparently (from what I hear or infer); typical of | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

Used when the conclusion is based on information from others or indirect clues.

Formation

Plain form or noun + らしい: 休みらしいです
Nouns and na-adjectives drop だ
Based mainly on information or indirect clues rather than your own direct impression
N + らしい can also mean 'typical of N': 子どもらしい, 春らしい天気

When to use it

Core use: Apparently (from what I hear or infer); typical of

Examples

24 sentences

田中たなかさんは来週らいしゅう休みやすみらしいです
Apparently Tanaka will be off next week.
あの店みせのラーメンは安くやすくておいしいらしいです
Apparently the ramen at that shop is cheap and good.
彼かれは子どもこどものころからピアノが上手じょうずだったらしいです
It seems he has been good at piano since childhood.
この町まちは夜よるになると星ほしがきれいに見えるみえるらしいです
Apparently you can see the stars clearly in this town at night.
あの人ひとは静かしずかですが実はじつはとても面白いおもしろいらしいです
He is quiet, but apparently he is actually very interesting.
地元じもとの人ひとの話はなしではあの山道やまみちは春はるになると桜さくらのトンネルになるらしいです
Local people say that mountain road turns into a tunnel of cherry blossoms in spring.
あの小さなちいさな島しまには人ひとより猫ねこのほうが多いおおいらしいです
Apparently there are more cats than people on that small island.
新しいあたらしい先生せんせいは厳しきびしそうですが本当ほんとうは優しいやさしいらしいです
The new teacher looks strict, but apparently is actually kind.

16 more examples

この公園こうえんの桜さくらは夜よるに見るみると特にとくに美しいうつくしいらしいです
Apparently the cherry blossoms in this park are especially beautiful at night.
山やまの奥おくに地図ちずにない温泉おんせんがあるらしいです
Apparently there is a hot spring deep in the mountains that is not on the map.
今日きょうは春はるらしい天気てんきですね
It's real spring weather today.
それは田中たなかさんらしい答えこたえですね
That answer is so typical of Tanaka-san.
今年ことしの夏なつはあまり夏なつらしくなかったです
This summer did not feel much like summer.
公園こうえんから子どもこどもらしい元気げんきな声こえが聞こえきこえます
Lively, childlike voices can be heard from the park.
明後日あさっては雨あめらしいです
Apparently, it will rain the day after tomorrow.
この部屋へやは静かしずからしいです
Apparently, this room is quiet.
この道みちは安全あんぜんらしいです
Apparently, this road is safe.
彼かれはもう家いえに帰っかえったらしいです
Apparently, he has already gone home.
今度こんどの試験しけんは難しいむずかしいらしいです
Apparently, the coming exam will be difficult.
その荷物にもつは重いおもいらしいです
Apparently, that luggage is heavy.
電車でんしゃは五時ごじに着くつくらしいです
Apparently, the train will arrive at five.
田中たなかさんは今日きょう来こないらしいです
Apparently, Mr. Tanaka will not come today.
その店みせは休みやすみらしいです
Apparently, that shop is closed for the day.
新しいあたらしい先生せんせいは親切しんせつらしいです
Apparently, the new teacher is kind.

Important notes

らしい can report an inference or describe a characteristic quality: 子どもらしい.

Common mistakes

Do not add だ before らしい after a present noun or な-adjective: 雨らしい.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: この公園こうえんの桜さくらは夜よるに見るみると特にとくに美しいうつくしいらしいです I think the ramen at this place is tasty.Apparently the cherry blossoms in this park are especially beautiful at night.This problem might be a little difficult.
Sentence 2: この道みちは安全あんぜんらしいです Apparently, this road is safe.This medicine might be too strong for me.I think this work will be finished in one day.
Sentence 3: 新しいあたらしい先生せんせいは親切しんせつらしいです I think that person is a teacher.The teacher may be absent today.Apparently, the new teacher is kind.

Similar grammar

Hear it in podcasts

The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.

部長がやめる？N4 · 2 min 51 s