〜らしい
〜らしい means apparently; seems. It is a JLPT N4 grammar point. 「〜らしい」 is used to say that something seems true based on information you heard or the situation around you. It sounds like a judgment from information rather than a firm personal certainty. In conversation, the polite form 「〜らしいです」 is common.
Japanese sources describe it as 「聞いた情報や様子から〜と思う」.
〜らしい examples
外は雨らしいです。
Apparently, it is raining outside.
田中さんは忙しいらしいです。
It seems that Mr. Tanaka is busy.
〜らしい exercises
Pick what belongs in the parentheses. The answer is marked below.
友だちの話では、明日は雪（ ）。
- らしいです ✓
- ように
- みたいに
- はずがない
According to my friend, it will apparently snow tomorrow.
あの店は安い（ ）。
- ような
- そうに
- らしいです ✓
- はずが
Apparently, that store is cheap.
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