らしいApparently; reportedly
らしい presents something as apparently true based on reports, indirect information, or a combination of clues. It leaves some distance between the speaker and a direct assertion.
Reports and combined clues
らしい can relay information learned from other people, but the exact source often remains in the background. It can also express a conclusion reached by putting several signs together. In both cases, the speaker treats the statement as likely rather than directly confirmed.
Two common evidence patterns
The context should make the indirect basis clear: either shared reports or clues that support a tentative conclusion.
社内では、部長は午後から出張らしい。
The word around the office is that the department head will be away on business from this afternoon.
AnalyzeThis relays information circulating indirectly. Notice that the noun 出張 attaches directly to らしい.
案内板と人の流れを見ると、近くで祭りがあるらしい。
Judging from the signs and the flow of people, there is apparently a festival nearby.
AnalyzeHere the conclusion comes from more than one clue rather than from a single quoted source.
Put tense and negation before the target
What is reported or inferred may itself be past or negative. Complete that part first, then add らしい.
Choosing among similar forms
そうだ more directly passes on received information and works especially naturally when the source is foregrounded. ようだ more clearly presents the speaker's own evidence-based judgment. みたいだ often expresses a similar tentative inference in more conversational language. The target form sits comfortably between report and inference, especially when the source is backgrounded or several clues are being combined.
Do not confuse uncertainty with typicality
The same written form can separately mean “characteristic of” a person or category. In particular, らしくない after a noun often has that typicality meaning; it is not simply the negative version of evidential らしい.
今日は田中さんらしくない。
Tanaka is not acting like himself today.
AnalyzeThis is the separate typicality use. To report that Tanaka apparently is not coming, put the negative verb before the target form instead.
More examples
口コミを読むかぎり、あのホテルは静からしい。
Judging from the reviews, that hotel is apparently quiet.
Analyzeみんなの話をまとめると、佐藤さんはその会議に出なかったらしい。
Putting together what everyone said, Sato apparently did not attend that meeting.
Analyzeこの足跡の大きさを見ると、ここを通ったのは熊らしい。
Judging from the size of these tracks, it was apparently a bear that passed through here.
Analyze何人かに聞いたところ、新しい店は週末も開いているらしい。
From what I heard after asking several people, the new shop is apparently open on weekends too.
Analyze村の記録を調べると、この橋は百年以上前に造られたらしい。
The village records suggest that this bridge was built more than a hundred years ago.
Analyze外に傘が何本も置いてある。中にはまだ人がいるらしい。
Several umbrellas have been left outside. Apparently there are still people inside.
Analyze