～らしい(伝聞・推量)

How to form it

• Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + らしい
• な-adjective (stem) + らしい
• Noun + らしい

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Gives a conjecture or report based on something heard or on indirect evidence.

The speaker is not certain and usually has the information from others, a report or a sign. It is somewhat objective, as if the speaker does not take responsibility.

Examples

1. 明日は雪が降るらしい。

   あしたはゆきがふるらしい。

   I hear it will snow tomorrow.

2. 彼は来月結婚するらしいよ。

   かれはらいげつけっこんするらしいよ。

   I hear he is getting married next month.

3. あの店は、とても人気があるらしい。

   あのみせは、とてもにんきがあるらしい。

   It seems that shop is very popular.

4. 隣の人は、学生らしい。

   となりのひとは、がくせいらしい。

   The person next door seems to be a student.

Compare with

• ～そうだ(伝聞): そうだ is a plain report of what you heard; らしい also allows for conjecture.
• ～らしい(典型): Another らしい means 'typical of / truly' after a noun.

Common mistakes

• Using it for direct experience that the speaker saw by themselves; ようだ is better.