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つの使い方は次のように分類できます。
| Comparison and Example | Inference | Heard Information | Appearance | |
| よう | ◯ | ◯ | ||
| みたい | ◯ | ◯ | ||
| そう | ◯ (Prediction and Judgment) | ◯ | ◯ | |
| らしい | ◯ | ◯ |
You can check the rules
for each usage on this page.
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]
今日のパーティーは無事に終わったようです。
It seems that today’s party ended safely.
今日のパーティーは無事に終わったみたいです。
It looks like today’s party ended safely.
今日のパーティーは無事に終わったそうです。
I’ve heard that today’s party ended safely.
今日のパーティーは無事に終わったらしいです。
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]
ノックの音が聞こえましたよ。誰か来たようです。
ノックの音が聞こえましたよ。誰か来たみたいです。
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]
ホールから人がたくさん出てくる。パーティーが終わったらしい。
（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）熱があるらしいです。
〇（わたしは）熱があるようです。
〇（わたしは）熱があるみたいです。
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の冬はとても寒くなるらしいよ。
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.
去年の冬はとても寒かったし、今年もとても寒くなりそうだね。
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の冬はとても『寒くなる』そうだ” uses the plain form to convey hearsay. Be careful, as it changes the meaning.
You can compare “そう” and “らしい”
(for hearsay) on this page.
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きだし、このピンクの服が好きそう。買ってあげよう。
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)
あげたけど全然着ないな。好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.
A. みたい
のどが痛いし風邪をひいたみたいだ。病院へ行こう。
My throat hurts, so it seems I caught a cold.
*Since this is an inference about one’s own condition, “みたい” is the correct choice.
A. そう
このスマホは簡単だし祖父でも使えそうです。
This smartphone is easy to use, so it looks like even my grandfather can use it.
*The judgment about the grandfather is subjective.
A. らしい
先生に勉強しないと不合格になると言われた。次のテストは難しいらしい。
The teacher said that if you don’t study, you’ll fail. It seems the next test will be difficult.
*”らしい” is used because it connects with “難しい” (difficult), which is based on objective information from the teacher.
A. よう
山田さん、大変なようなら手伝いますよ。
Yamada-san, if you’re having a hard time, I’ll help you.
*”よう” is used because it connects with “大変な” (trouble), indicating the speaker’s inference based on observing Mr. Yamada’s situation.
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