Typical / Apparently: らしい

Learn how らしい expresses hearsay, typicality, and the sense of being characteristic of something.

Use らしい for reported information and for 'typical of' meanings.Distinguish hearsay らしい from inferential ようだ.Recognize when らしい adds a sense of character or suitability.

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Lesson article

Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context

Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.

Section 1 of 3

Reported Information

One common use of らしい is 'apparently' or 'I hear that....' The information usually comes from what the speaker has heard, read, or indirectly learned.

Target signal
天気予報によると、明日は雪らしい。
According to the weather forecast, apparently it will snow tomorrow.
The speaker is reporting indirect information.
Vocabulary notes
によると〜によると
according to
よる
night
天気てんき
weather
Compare in context
田中さんは来週引っ越すらしい。
Apparently Tanaka is moving next week.
The speaker heard this somewhere.
Vocabulary notes
引っ越すひっこす
to move house
田中さんたなかさん
Tanaka
さん
Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix

Section 2 of 3

Typicality and Character

Another major use is 'typical of' or 'characteristic of.' In this use, らしい often attaches to nouns and adjectives to describe what fits an expected image.

Target signal
彼は本当に先生らしい話し方をする。
He speaks in a way that is really teacher-like.
This らしい describes what fits the image of a teacher.
Vocabulary notes
本当にほんとうに
really; truly
する
to do
先生せんせい
teacher; instructor; doctor
Preview
今日は春らしい暖かい日だ。
Today is a warm day that feels truly spring-like.
The word suggests a quality typical of spring.
Vocabulary notes
暖かいあたたかい
warm
今日きょう
today
か
question marker; or

Section 3 of 3

Reading Tip

When you meet らしい, ask whether it means 'apparently' or 'characteristic of.' The surrounding sentence usually makes this clear. Information sources point to hearsay; descriptive nouns point to typicality.

Target signal
うわさでは、この店の店主は元料理人らしい。
Rumor has it that the owner of this shop used to be a chef.
This is hearsay.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
では
well then; in; by means of
店主てんしゅ
shop owner
Preview
子どもらしい自由な発想が大切だ。
A free, childlike way of thinking is important.
This is typicality.
Vocabulary notes
子どもこども
child; children
大切たいせつ
important; precious
が
subject marker

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Typical / Apparently: らしい changes the meaning before you check the translation.

天気予報によると、明日は雪らしい。田中さんは来週引っ越すらしい。彼は本当に先生らしい話し方をする。今日は春らしい暖かい日だ。うわさでは、この店の店主は元料理人らしい。子どもらしい自由な発想が大切だ。もう一度読んでください。前後の文を比べてください。場面と話し手を考えてください。意味の流れを最後まで確認して、使い分けを考えてください。もう一度読んでください。前後の文を比べてください。場面と話し手を考えてください。意味の流れを最後まで確認して、使い分けを考えてください。もう一度読んでくだ

Show English translation

According to the weather forecast, apparently it will snow tomorrow. Apparently Tanaka is moving next week. He speaks in a way that is really teacher-like. Today is a warm day that feels truly spring-like. Rumor has it that the owner of this shop used to be a chef. A free, childlike way of thinking is important.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

What is the first reading job for this passage?
- Identify the situation and how Typical / Apparently: らしい changes it.
- Translate every word before using context.
- Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
- Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
Check the answer
Identify the situation and how Typical / Apparently: らしい changes it.
The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Typical / Apparently: らしい in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which is a common meaning of らしい?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Typical / Apparently: らしい).

天気予報＿＿＿、明日は雪らしい。

Your answer

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

1田中さんは来週引っ越すらしい。
2彼は本当に先生らしい話し方をする。
3天気予報によると、明日は雪らしい。

Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Typical / Apparently: らしい in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4