Telling ～みたい, ～らしい and ～っぽい Apart

Telling ～みたい、～らしい、～ っぽい apart in Japanese

N3 Grammar: telling みたい/ らしい/ っぽい apart

1. ～みたい

Meaning: like, it seems that

Structure:
N/A/V plain form (普通形) + みたいに /みたいだ
N/A/V plain form (普通形) + みたいな + N

Usage:
a. Giving an example for comparison

ヴァンちゃんみたいに日本語が上手くなりたい。
(Vân-chan mitai ni nihongoga umaku naritai.)
I want to get as good at Japanese as Vân.

b. Comparing with a person or thing with similar qualities

ここの砂は星みたいな形をしている。
(Koko no suna wa hoshi mitai na katachi wo shite iru.)
The grains of sand here are shaped like stars.

c. Used to make a guess
もう売り切れみたい。
(Mou urikire mitai.)
It seems to have sold out.

2. ～らしい

Meaning: feels like, seems like (a quality)

Structure: N + らしい

Usage:
今日は、春らしい暖かい日でした。
(Kyou wa haru rashii atatakai hi deshita.)
Today was a warm day, just like spring.

私は女性らしい洋服はあまり着ない。
(Watashi wa josei rashii youfuku wa amari kinai.)
I don't often wear feminine clothes.

3. ～ っぽい

Meaning: almost, tending towards, close to

Structure: N + っぽい / Vます minus ます+ っぽい

Usage:
あの小学生は、大人っぽい。
(Ano shougakusei wa otonappoi.)
That primary school pupil seems very grown-up.

See also:
Telling 「せっかく」and 「わざわざ」 Apart
Telling 「やっと」, 「ついに」, 「とうとう」 and 「ようやく」 Apart