it seems ~, apparently ~

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses inference based on information received.

[Plain form] + らしい

彼は病気らしい。

Kare wa byouki rashii.

It seems he is sick.

明日は雪が降るらしいです。

Ashita wa yuki ga furu rashii desu.

Apparently it will snow tomorrow.

Similar to そうだ (hearsay) but softer, more uncertain.

～そうだ (hearsay)

I heard that ~, they say that ~

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Common for uncertain information or rumors.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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