GI05 · Apparently: 〜らしい

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the intermediate level, in kanji with furigana, and assume elementary grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GI01say something is excessive
• GI02say whether something is easy or hard to do
• GI03say what you do something for
• GI04say what you do to avoid something

What you learn

〜らしいです

• らしいapparently, I hear

らしいです passes on what you've heard or inferred, without being sure: あしたは あめらしいです (apparently it'll rain tomorrow). It follows the plain form; with nouns, without だ. Don't confuse it with そう (GE04), which says what you see.

• 明日あしたは 雨あめらしいです。ashita wa ame rashii desu.Apparently it'll rain tomorrow.
• 部長ぶちょうは 会社かいしゃを 辞やめるらしいです。buchou wa kaisha o yameru rashii desu.I hear the boss is leaving the company.
• 会議かいぎは 中止ちゅうしらしいです。kaigi wa chuushi rashii desu.Apparently the meeting is called off.
• 事故じこの 原因げんいんは 雨あめらしいです。jiko no genin wa ame rashii desu.Apparently the rain caused the accident.
• 新あたらしい 番組ばんぐみは 面白おもしろいらしいです。atarashii bangumi wa omoshiroi rashii desu.I hear the new programme is fun.
• 温泉おんせんは 無料むりょうらしいです。onsen wa muryou rashii desu.Apparently the hot spring is free.

Practice

A short text with words and grammar you already know; kanji carry their reading above. Read it and answer.