InitialJ
N4expressioninference

らしい (rashii) - Seems/Apparently

[Plain form] + らしいです

Quick answer

[Plain form] + らしいです means "Seems, apparently, I heard". As a N4 grammar point, it is tested in the JLPT. Detailed examples and a usage explanation are on this page.

Meaning

Seems, apparently, I heard

Explanation

らしい expresses inference or hearsay with some evidence.

Examples

彼は忙しいらしいです。
かれはいそがしいらしいです。
He seems to be busy (I heard).
彼—He忙—Busy
明日は雨らしいです。
あしたはあめらしいです。
Apparently it will rain tomorrow.
明—Bright日—Day雨—Rain

Practice this grammar

[Plain form] + らしいです

Which sentence correctly uses "らしい (rashii) - Seems/Apparently"?

Vocabulary from these examples

日DayN5彼HeN3明BrightN4雨RainN5忙BusyN3彼He雨Rain

Last updated Jul 4, 2026