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What is the difference between 鈴木さんは今うちにいないらしいです。電話に出ませんから。 and 鈴木さんは今うちにいないようです。電話に出ませんから。? Please, don't just say they are almost the same. Give me one situation/context where they would be used.

Answers · 2

1
Hello again, うちにいないらしいです。 「らしい」is hearsay. It implies you hear that from someone. eg. 聞いたんだけど、鈴木さんは今うちにいないらしいです。/ I've heard that Mr. Suzuki is not at home now. うちにいないようです。 「よう」is guess. You are not 100% sure however you have some evidence. You may find there isn't his car at his house or you heard that from someone. eg. 車がないから、鈴木さんは今うちにいないようだ。/ Mr. Suzuki maybe not at home now because there isn't his car there. eg. 隣人曰く、鈴木さんは今うちにいないようだ。/ His neighbor said he is not at his house now. Have a good day!
0
If I am told these sentences, I feel like, " oh, this person didn't call Mr Suzuki himself, instead, he heard form the other person who called Mr Suzuki" for no.1, and " this person called Mr Suzuki, but Mr Suzuki didn't answer it." for no.2. らしい and ようだ give you the impression something like that. らしい sounds more indirect, and ようだ is a bit official.

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