Japanese from zero · N4 Lesson 12
Maybe, apparently
〜かもしれない ・ 〜みたい ・ 〜らしい ・ which one?
In this lesson, you will learn to say that something might happen (〜かもしれない), that something is like something else or seems so (〜みたい), and what you have heard (〜らしい), and you will learn which one to choose. Tanaka invites everyone to Osaka for New Year, under the holiday lights in Tokyo.
By the end you will be able to say
お正月に 大阪へ 行くかもしれません。I might go to Osaka for New Year.
ミンジュは 来ないかもしれません。Minju might not come.
映画みたいな 夜でした。It was a night like a movie.
大阪は 食べ物が おいしいらしいです。Apparently the food in Osaka is delicious.
今夜は 冷えるかもしれません。It might get cold tonight.
The grammar in this lesson
- Might: 〜かもしれない — The plain form + かもしれない says something might be true or might happen.
- Like, seems: 〜みたい, 〜みたいな, 〜みたいに — みたい, the casual partner of ようだ, says something is like something else or seems so.
- Apparently: 〜らしい — らしい passes on something you heard or read.
- Which one? かもしれない, らしい, みたい — Choose by where your idea comes from: a guess, something you heard, or what you see.