JLPT N4 Grammar – “〜よう”・”〜みたい”・”〜そう”・”〜らしい” ② 

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜よう”・”〜みたい”・”〜そう”・”〜らしい”
2. よう VS みたい VS そう VS らしい
3. よう VS みたい
4. らしい
5. そう VS らしい
6. そう VS みたい
7. Summary
8. Quiz
9. Similar Articles
10. Comment

Q: What are the differences between “〜よう,” “〜みたい,” “〜そう,” and “〜らしい”?

それぞれ4つの使つかい方かたは次つぎのように分類ぶんるいできます。

	Comparison and Example	Inference	Heard Information	Appearance
よう	◯	◯
みたい	◯	◯
そう		◯ (Prediction and Judgment)	◯	◯
らしい		◯	◯

よう VS みたい VS そう VS らしい

Here, let’s consider the use of “inference” for all four expressions using the same sentence. Although they are all interchangeable, each has a slightly different meaning.

[Examples]　
今日きょうのパーティーは無事ぶじに終おわったようです。
It seems that today’s party ended safely.

今日きょうのパーティーは無事ぶじに終おわったみたいです。
It looks like today’s party ended safely.

今日きょうのパーティーは無事ぶじに終おわったそうです。
I’ve heard that today’s party ended safely.

今日きょうのパーティーは無事ぶじに終おわったらしいです。
I heard that today’s party ended safely.

よう VS みたい

“よう” and “みたい” are used when the speaker expresses their own impressions or thoughts based on what they have seen or heard. “よう” is more commonly used in written language, while “みたい” is often used in spoken language.

[Examples]
ノックの音おとが聞きこえましたよ。誰だれか来きたようです。
ノックの音おとが聞きこえましたよ。誰だれか来きたみたいです。
I heard a knock. It seems like someone has arrived.

らしい

“らしい” expresses something inferred or judged based on objective evidence or reasons. It is often used with sentences that include reasons or logical deductions.

[Example]　
ホールから人ひとがたくさん出でてくる。パーティーが終おわったらしい。
　　　　（objective evidence）　　　　　（Inference/Judgment）
People are coming out of the hall. It seems the party has ended.

Note: “らしい” cannot be used for self-inference.
[Examples]　
×（わたしは）熱ねつがあるらしいです。
〇（わたしは）熱ねつがあるようです。
〇（わたしは）熱ねつがあるみたいです。
I seem to have a fever.

そう VS らしい

“そう” and “らしい” have subtle differences, with “らしい” being more objective and “そう” being more subjective in inference.

[Examples]　
ニュースによると今年ことしの冬ふゆはとても寒さむくなるらしいよ。
According to the news, this winter is said to be very cold.
⇒ It is natural to use “らしい” here because there is objective information (news) available.
　　　　　
去年きょねんの冬ふゆはとても寒さむかったし、今年ことしもとても寒さむくなりそうだね。
Last winter was very cold, and it looks like this winter will be very cold too.
⇒ “そう” is used for the speaker’s subjective reasons, so it feels unnatural when used with information or evidence from other sources. Since the speaker is making a guess based on their own reasoning about last winter, “そう” is an appropriate way to express this.

Note: “ニュースによると今年ことしの冬ふゆはとても『寒さむくなる』そうだ” uses the plain form to convey hearsay. Be careful, as it changes the meaning.

そう VS みたい

Finally, let’s consider the differences between these two.

Both “そう” and “みたい” reflect the speaker’s subjective perspective, but the key point is that “そう” indicates inference or prediction based on some evidence or reason, while “みたい” is based on information received through the senses, like sight or hearing.

[Examples]　
(The mother is choosing clothes for her daughter)
よしこはピンクが好すきだし、このピンクの服ふくが好すきそう。買かってあげよう。
Yoshiko likes pink, so she probably likes this pink dress. I’ll buy it for her.
⇒ Before giving the dress to her daughter, the speaker makes a prediction based on the reason that Yoshiko likes pink.

(Seeing the daughter)
あげたけど全然ぜんぜん着きないな。好すきじゃなかったみたい。
I gave it to her, but she hasn’t worn it at all. It seems she didn’t like it.
⇒ Observing the daughter, the speaker is making an inference and judgment.

Summary

• “よう” and “みたい” are used when the speaker describes what they have perceived or felt based on their own observations or impressions of a situation (information obtained through the five senses).
• “らしい” expresses something that is inferred or judged based on objective grounds or reasons.
• “そう” refers to subjective inferences, predictions, or judgments based on evidence or reasons.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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