GRAMMAR
〜らしい
like ~
typical of
Explanation
NOTE
〜らしい as a suffix means "typical of," "befitting," or "like a true X." It attaches to nouns and creates an i-adjective.
男らしい行動だ。
That is very manly behavior.
らしい here means 'befitting / typical of'
NOTE
This is distinct from the auxiliary らしい meaning "I heard that" — this らしい means something is genuinely characteristic.
STRUCTURE
N辞
らしい彼女は先生らしい。
Kanojo wa sensei rashii.
She is very teacher-like / acts like a true teacher.
春らしい天気になってきた。
Haru rashii tenki ni natte kita.
The weather has become typical of spring.
彼らしくない発言だった。
Kare rashiku nai hatsugen datta.
That was an uncharacteristic statement for him.
Practice exercises
1
このケーキは甘くて、子供が好きらしい。
This cake is sweet and it is typical of what children like.
Answer
らしい
2
このケーキは甘くて、子供等い。
This cake is sweet and looks like it is for children.
Answer
等い
3
子供らしい遊び方だ。
It's a very child-like way of playing.
Answer
らしい
4
もっと大人らしい行動をしてください。
Please behave in a more adult-like manner.
Answer
らしい
5
今日は夏らしい暑さだ。
Today is a very summer-like heat.
Answer
らしい
6
彼は正直で誠実らしい人だ。
He is a very honestly sincere / true-to-type sincere person.
Answer
らしい
7
彼女は先生らしい。
She is very teacher-like / acts like a true teacher.
Answer
らしい
8
春らしい天気になってきた。
The weather has become typical of spring.
Answer
らしい