Grammar ～らしい | Mimikara Oboeru N3

～らしい

Looks like..., typical of...

Structure

N＋らしい

Explanation

Indicates that the preceding noun 'has the look/feel of' or is typical of something; used to comment on being characteristic or fitting its nature.

Examples

1大山（おおやま）さんは拾（ひろ）ってきたネコを育（そだ）てているそうだ。いかにも動物（どうぶつ）好（ず）きな彼（かれ）らしい。

I've heard Oyama is raising a cat he found. That's so like him—he really loves animals.

2「そのセーターの色（いろ）、春（はる）らしくてすてきね」

The color of that sweater is so spring-like and lovely.

3「就職（しゅうしょく）したのだから、もっと社会（しゃかい）人（じん）らしくしなさい」

Now that you're employed, behave more like a working adult.

4彼女（かのじょ）は体（からだ）がじょうぶで、病気（びょうき）らしい病気（びょうき）をしたことがない。

She's very healthy and has never had any serious illnesses.

Note

1) Easy to confuse ～らしい (typical/apt) with ～らしい (hearsay). → Here ～らしい expresses “very characteristic, true to N”.2) Not used to convey rumors. → Rumors/hearsay usually use: 普通形＋らしい.3) Often used with nouns indicating role, personality, or style. → Meaning similar to “suitable for, worthy of” (にふさわしい).