When studying Japanese, you often encounter multiple expressions with similar meanings. Among them, “みたい (Mitai)”, “よう (Yō)”, “らしい (Rashii)”, “そう (Sō)” and “っぽい (Ppoi)” are a group of auxiliary verbs meaning “It seems/appears” or “I hear” and such, and lots of Japanese learners (and even some native speakers) get confused with how each is different. In this article, we explain the core meanings, grammar rules, and give sample sentences of each expression. Let’s master how to use them properly today!
Contents
みたい (Mitai)
Core Meaning and Situations
(Is) Like / Resembles / Appears / Seems / Is similar to
1) Estimate, judge or express likeness by using five senses (see, hear, touch, smell, eat)
2) With nouns, often used when it’s not actually the objective but resembles it
3) Used in rather informal and casual conversations
How to Form a Phrase/Sentence
| Noun | + みたい (だ/だった/に) Mitai (da/datta/ni) |
| Adjective | |
| Verb |
| Noun + | みたいな Mitaina | + Noun |
Example Sentences
| あの人、最近あまり寝ていないみたい。 Anohito saikin amari neteinai mitai | That guy/girl doesn’t seem to sleep much these days. |
| この自動販売機、壊れているみたい。 Kono jidōhanbaiki kowareteiru mitai | This vending machine looks broken. |
| *You’ve pushed the button several times but the machine hasn’t reacted at all | |
| 今日は夏みたいな暑さだ。 Kyō wa natsu mitai na atsusa da | It’s hot like summer today. |
| *It’s actually not summer |
| 彼女の笑顔は太陽みたいだ。 Kanojo no egao wa taiyō mitai da | Her smile is like sunshine. |
See also: 160+ Japanese Words and Phrases for Beginners
よう (Yō)
Core Meaning and Situations
(Is) Like / Resembles / Seems / Appears (as if) / Is similar to
1) Estimate, judge or express likeness by using five senses (see, hear, touch, smell, eat)
2) With nouns, often used when it’s not actually the objective but resembles it
3) Can replace “みたい (Mitai)” in most sentences, but “よう (Yō)” is only used in formal situations followed by “です (desu)”
How to Form a Phrase/Sentence
| Noun | + (の) よう (だ/だった/に/です) (No) Yō (da/datta/ni/desu) |
| Adjective | |
| Verb |
| Noun + | のような No yōna | + Noun |
Example Sentences
While “みたい (mitai)” is used in casual conversations, where “は (wa)” is often omitted, in sentences using “そう (sou)”, “は (wa)” is rather not skipped.
| あの人は最近あまり寝ていないようだ。 Anohito ha saikin amari neteinai mitai | That guy/girl doesn’t seem to sleep much these days. |
| この自動販売機は壊れているようです。 Kono jidōhanbaiki ha kowareteiru yōdesu | This vending machine looks broken. |
| *You’ve pushed the button several times but the machine hasn’t reacted at all | |
| 今日は夏のような暑さだ。 Kyō ha natsu no yōna na atsusa da | It’s hot like summer today. |
| *It’s actually not summer |
| 彼女の笑顔は太陽のようです。 Kanojo no egao wa taiyō no you desu | Her smile is like sunshine. |
See also: What Do “Itadakimasu” And “Gochisousama” Mean? Common Phrases and Manners During Meals in Japan
らしい (Rashī)
How to Form a Phrase/Sentence
| Noun | + らしい / らしく Rashī / Rashiku |
| Adjective | |
| Verb |
Core Meaning and Situations
Seems / Apparently / It is said / I hear / Typical of
1) Express an idea based on evidence
2) Deliver information learned from others (by overhearing or reading)
3) Represent a typical pattern/characteristic
Example Sentences
| 明日は雪が降るらしい。 Ashita wa yuki ga huru rashī | It seems there might be snow tomorrow. |
| *The speaker has checked the weather forecast | |
| 駅前に新しいカフェができるらしい。 Ekimae ni atarashii kafe ga dekiru rashī | I heard that a new café is going to open near the station. |
| 佐藤さんはいつも先生らしい振る舞いをする。 Sato san wa itsumo sensei rashī hurumai wo suru | Sato-san always behaves as a teacher would. |
| *Sato-san works as a teacher and acts like a typical one | |
そう (Sō)
How to Form a Phrase/Sentence
| Noun | + そう(だ/です) Sō (da/desu) |
| Adjective | |
| Verb |
Core Meaning and Situations
Looks like / I hear
1) Estimate, judge or express likeness by seeing, hearing or smelling
2) Used when you think something is about to happen
3) Deliver information learned from others (by overhearing or reading)
Example Sentences
| このラーメン、おいしそう。 Kono rāmen oishi sō | This ramen looks delicious. |
| *You’ve smelled or looked at the ramen but haven’t eaten it yet | |
| 今夜は雪が降りそうだね。 Konya wa yuki ga huri sō dane | It looks like it’s going to snow tonight. |
| 田中さんは来月会社を辞めるそうです。 Tanaka san wa raigetsu kaisha wo yameru sō desu | I heard Tanaka-san is leaving the company next month. |
See also: How to Learn Japanese: The First 3 Steps You Should Take
っぽい (Ppoi)
How to Form a Phrase/Sentence
| Noun | + っぽい / っぽく Ppoi / Ppoku |
| Verb | |
| Adjective / Adjectival Verb (Stem) *E.g., 安い (yasui) →安 (yasu) |
Core Meaning and Situations
Looks like / -ish / easily do
1) Describe the quality of something with characteristics/state that are undesirable
2) Express a strong tendency to do things that are undesirable
3) Used only in casual conversations
Example Sentences
| あのコート、少し子供っぽいし安っぽいね。 Ano kōto sukoshi kodomoppoi shi yasuppoi ne | That coat is a bit childish and looks cheap, right? |
| この部屋、すごくほこりっぽい。 Kono heya sugoku hokorippoi | This room is so dusty. |
| 加藤さんは最近怒りっぽい。 Kato san wa saikin okorippoi | Kato-san has been irritable these days. |
See also: 10 Best Free Apps to Learn Japanese
Summary
We have explained how “みたい (Mitai)”, “よう (Yō)”, “らしい (Rashī)”, “そう (Sō)” and “っぽい (Ppoi)” are different (and similar) in the meanings and how we should use them in sentences and proper situations. The best way to master them is to make use of sample sentences or try to apply them to daily conversations today, and to not worry about making subtle mistakes!
This media series provides a wide range of information about the Japanese language and Japanese culture for those who are interested in traveling to or living in Japan. Add us to your reading list and stay tuned!