Grammar Point
adjective (keiyoushi)
adj-i 
auxiliary adjective
aux-adj 
suffix
suf 
らしい

seeming ..., appearing ...

expresses judgement based on evidence, reason or trustworthy hearsay

-ish, like a ..., typical of ..., appropriate for ..., becoming of ..., worthy of the name ...

after a noun, adverb or adj. stem

Verb or い-Adjective + らしい

The grammar point らしい is added directly to the informal form of verbs and い-adjectives to express a conjecture based on objective evidence, information, or hearsay. It suggests the speaker has a reason for their conclusion.

Verb (Informal)

Add らしい to the informal present or past form of a verb.

It seems he will go.

Apparently, she bought it.

い-Adjective (Informal)

Add らしい to the informal present or past form of an い-adjective.

It seems to be expensive.

Apparently, it was cold.

Note

Unlike the conjecture marker でしょう, らしい implies that there is some external evidence or information that the speaker is relying on. It is also more objective than the similar marker そうだ (seeming), which is often based on immediate visual impressions.

Noun or な-Adjective Stem + らしい

When used with nouns and な-adjectives, らしい is attached directly to the stem or the noun without using だ or な. This form indicates a judgment based on what has been heard or observed.

Noun

Add らしい directly to a noun. For the past tense, use だった before らしい.

It seems he is a teacher.

Apparently, it was a rain.

な-Adjective Stem

Add らしい directly to the stem of a な-adjective. For the past tense, use だった before らしい.

It seems she is healthy.

Apparently, it was quiet.

Note

When らしい follows a noun, it can also mean that something has the typical qualities of that noun (e.g., 'manly' or 'child-like'). However, in the context of conjecture, it simply means 'it appears that...'.

Words: 
らしい
Radicals of radicals