Translation guide
In English, 'apparently' is used to indicate that information is based on what you have heard or read, not on your own direct knowledge. Japanese has several common expressions that convey this, with different nuances and levels of formality.
To convey that the information comes from an external source, not personal experience.
Attach to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns (with だ) to report hearsay. Very common in both spoken and written Japanese.
明日は雨が降るそうだ。
Apparently it will rain tomorrow.
彼は来ないそうだ。
Apparently he's not coming.
To express that something appears to be the case based on direct observation or evidence.
Casual and common in spoken Japanese. Used when making a guess based on what you see or feel.
彼は疲れているみたいだ。
Apparently he's tired. / He looks tired.
Similar to みたいだ but slightly more formal. Often used in writing.
そうだ is pure hearsay (you heard it from someone). らしい implies you have some evidence or it's a reasonable conjecture. みたいだ is based on direct observation or personal impression.
雨が降るそうだ。
I heard it will rain.
雨が降るらしい。
It seems it will rain (based on forecast or clouds).
雨が降っているみたいだ。
It looks like it's raining (I see wet umbrellas).
English speakers often use 'apparently' as a filler. In Japanese, constantly using そうだ or らしい can sound like you're distancing yourself from the information. Use only when you genuinely want to indicate hearsay or conjecture.
Expresses conjecture based on reliable information or evidence. Less direct than そうだ, often implying the speaker has some grounds for the statement.
あの店は美味しいらしい。
Apparently that restaurant is good.
彼はもう帰ったらしい。
Apparently he already went home.
Literally 'it is that...', used to report what you've heard. Slightly more formal and often used in writing or news.
会議は延期されるということだ。
Apparently the meeting will be postponed.
A more colloquial variant of ～そうだ, often used in casual conversation.
彼女、結婚するんだそうだ。
Apparently she's getting married.
Used at the beginning of a sentence to mean 'from what I hear' or 'apparently'. Casual.
なんでも、あの二人は別れたらしい。
Apparently those two broke up.
彼はもう出かけたようだ。
Apparently he's already gone out.
Attached to nouns or verb stems to mean '-ish' or 'seems like'. Very casual.
あの子、男っぽいね。
That kid looks like a boy, apparently.