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〜らしい (typical of)

typical of, just as (X) should be

Noun + らしい / らしく / らしくない

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At N4, らしい meant "apparently" (hearsay). After a noun, it has a second meaning: "having the qualities that X should have". 今日は春らしい暖かい日だ, "today is a warm, truly spring-like day".

It's usually a compliment: 子どもらしい, "just like a kid should be"; 学生らしい, "fitting for a student".

The negative is a gentle criticism: 君らしくないね, "that's not like you".

As an adverb, it's らしく: 子どもは子どもらしく遊ぶのが一番だ, "kids should play like kids".

Compare っぽい, which is "-ish" and often negative: 子どもっぽい is "childish". Context usually shows which らしい is meant: after a noun describing character, it's "typical of".

Examples

  • 今日きょうは春はるらしい暖あたたかい日ひだ。

    Today is a warm, truly spring-like day.

  • そんなことを言いうなんて、君きみらしくないね。

    It's not like you to say something like that.

  • 彼女かのじょは学生がくせいらしい服ふくを着きている。

    She's wearing clothes that are just right for a student.

  • 子こどもは子こどもらしく遊あそぶのが一番いちばんだ。

    It's best for kids to play like kids.

  • 久ひさしぶりに夏なつらしい天気てんきになった。

    For the first time in a while, it feels like proper summer weather.

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