よう, みたい and らしい: evidence and register

The idea

ようだ expresses a considered inference from evidence; みたいだ often expresses a similar impression in casual speech. らしい commonly reports an inference based on information heard or obtained. Use plain predicates before each: 雨が降るようだ, 雨が降るみたいだ, 雨が降るらしい. With nouns use 学生のようだ, 学生みたいだ, 学生らしい; na-adjectives take な before よう but attach directly to みたい and らしい.

Examples

• 電気でんきが消きえていますから、留守るすのようです。The lights are off, so it appears nobody is home.
• 雲くもを見みると、雨あめが降ふるようです。Judging by the clouds, it seems it will rain.
• ほら、あの店みせは休やすみみたいです。Look, it looks like the shop is closed.
• あの人ひとは学生がくせいみたいです。That person looks like a student.
• 同僚どうりょうによると、会議かいぎは明日あしたらしいです。A colleague says the meeting is apparently tomorrow.
• 予報よほうによると、明日あしたは雪ゆきが降ふるらしいです。According to the forecast, it seems it will snow tomorrow.

Watch out

These are tendencies, not exclusive evidence rules: らしい can reflect observations, and よう and みたい can reflect information. Noun + らしい can also mean ‘typical of’, not hearsay.

Try it yourself

1. In a formal report, infer absence from the dark house; choose the form with の. 留守るす＿＿です。（のよう／みたい／らしい）

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   のよう

   ようです suits a considered inference in a formal report; の connects the noun 留守 to よう.

2. In casual conversation, say the shop looks closed; choose みたい. 店みせは休やすみ＿＿です。（のよう／みたい／らしい）

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   みたい

   みたいです conveys an impression in casual conversation; a noun attaches directly.

3. A colleague said the meeting is tomorrow; choose らしい. 会議かいぎは明日あした＿＿です。（のよう／みたい／らしい）

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   らしい

   らしいです naturally conveys an inference from what a colleague said.

Use it today

Choose the form requested by each context, then explain the evidence and register.