Master N3 Grammar: らしい vs はず (Hearsay vs. Expectation)

Welcome to your definitive guide to mastering らしい (rashii) and はず (hazu).

At the JLPT N3 level, expressing nuance is key. Both of these grammar points deal with assumptions, but they spring from entirely different sources: hearsay/conjecture vs. logical expectation.

Let’s break them down so you can use them flawlessly.

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1. 〜らしい (Conjecture & Hearsay)

English equivalent: "It seems like...", "I heard that..."

Use らしい when you are making a guess based on information you heard, read, or observed indirectly. It carries a light, objective tone of "so I’ve heard."

How to Conjugate

Example in Action

天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るらしいです。
Tenki yohou ni yoru to, ashita wa ame ga furu rashii desu.
According to the weather forecast, it seems it will rain tomorrow.
(Nuance: I didn't see the rain clouds myself, but the forecast said so.)天気予報明日

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2. 〜はず (Logical Expectation)

English equivalent: "Should be...", "Expected to..."

Use はず when you are making a strong, logical prediction based on facts, rules, or a schedule. You are saying, "Based on evidence, this is the only logical outcome."

How to Conjugate

Example in Action

彼は毎日練習しているから、今日の試合に勝つはずだ。
Kare wa mainichi renshuu shite iru kara, kyou no shiai ni katsu hazu da.
Because he practices every day, he should win today's match.
(Nuance: Winning is the logical result of his hard work.)彼毎日練習今

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The Ultimate Showdown: らしい vs. はず

To truly understand the difference, look at how the meaning changes in the same scenario:

Scenario: Tanaka-san's arrival tomorrow.

1. 田中さんは明日来るらしい。
   Tanaka-san wa ashita kuru rashii.田中明日来

   • Meaning: "I heard Tanaka-san is coming tomorrow."
   • Why: You heard a rumor or read an email, but you don't have official confirmation.
   田中明日来

2. 田中さんは明日来るはずだ。
   Tanaka-san wa ashita kuru hazu da.田中明日来

   • Meaning: "Tanaka-san is expected to come tomorrow."
   • Why: You know his schedule, or he bought his plane ticket. It would be highly unusual if he didn't show up.
   田中明日来

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Quick Practice Challenge

Choose the correct particle/form to complete these sentences:

1. 彼は昨日徹夜（てつや）したから、今は眠い (らしい / はずだ).
   (Since he pulled an all-nighter yesterday, he must be sleepy now.)彼昨日徹夜今
2. あの店のラーメンは美味しい (らしい / はずだ)。SNSで話題になっている。
   (I heard that shop's ramen is delicious. It's trending on social media.)店美味話題

Answers

1. はずだ (Logical expectation based on the fact that he didn't sleep).
2. らしい (Hearsay based on social media buzz).