Plain form + らしい

[Conjecture Based on Hearsay/Evidence]

Connection: Plain form + らしい / Noun + らしい

This grammar expresses conjecture or hearsay based on indirect evidence or information from others. It means "it seems," "apparently," or "I heard that." When attached to nouns, it means "typical of" or "-like."

Formation:

• Verb plain form + らしい: 行くらしい (apparently will go)
• i-Adjective + らしい: 高いらしい (apparently expensive)
• na-Adjective + らしい: 元気らしい (apparently healthy)
• Noun + らしい: 学生らしい (apparently a student / student-like)

Conjugation (like i-adjective):

• Present affirmative: 雨らしい (apparently rain)
• Present negative: 雨らしくない (apparently not rain)
• Past affirmative: 雨らしかった (apparently was rain)
• Past negative: 雨らしくなかった (apparently wasn't rain)

Comparison with similar grammar:

• そうだ (hearsay): Direct hearsay "I heard that" - more direct report
• ようだ: "It seems/appears" based on direct observation
• みたいだ: Casual "seems like" - more colloquial than ようだ
• らしい is based on indirect evidence or multiple sources

Examples: 明日は雨が降るらしい。(It seems it will rain tomorrow / Apparently it will rain tomorrow.) 彼は今日来ないらしいです。(He apparently won't come today.) 彼女は本当に男らしい性格だ。(She has a really manly personality.)