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-ish; like; frequent
Definition
The grammar pattern "N / V-masu (stem) / Adj-i (stem) + っぽい" is used to describe a quality that is similar to something else or to indicate a tendency to do something frequently. It is often used for casual, subjective impressions and can be translated to English as "-ish", "like", or "frequent". This pattern is commonly used in everyday conversations and can add a touch of informality to the language.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu form of a verb | V-masu (stem) + っぽい | 食べます + っぽい = 食べっぽい |
| Adjective stem | Adj-i (stem) + っぽい | 子供 + っぽい = 子供っぽい |
| Noun | N + っぽい | 服 + っぽい = 服っぽい |
Examples
その服、デザインが子供っぽいね。
Sono fuku, dezain ga kodomo ppoi ne.
That dress is childlike.
その服 (that dress), デザインが (has a design that), 子供っぽい (is childlike), ね (casual ending)
最近忘れっぽくなってきて、困っている。
Saikin wasureru ppoi ni natte kite, konnani shite imasu.
I've become forgetful lately and it's causing me trouble.
最近 (lately), 忘れっぽくなって (became forgetful), きて (and), 困っている (causing me trouble)
このスープは少し油っぽいですね。
Kono suupu wa sukoshi abura ppoi desu ne.
This soup is a bit oily, isn't it?
このスープ (this soup), は (is), 少し (a bit), 油っぽい (is oily), ですね (casual ending)
Context
This pattern is commonly used in casual conversations to add a touch of informality. It can be used to describe a quality that is similar to something else or to indicate a tendency to do something frequently. It is often used with the casual ending "ね" or "です".
Watch out
While both "らしい" and "っぽい" can be used to describe a quality that is similar to something else, "らしい" is more formal and is often used in writing, whereas "っぽい" is more casual and is often used in spoken language.
While both "みたい" and "みっぽい" can be used to describe a tendency to do something frequently, "みたい" is more formal and is often used in writing, whereas "みっぽい" is more casual and is often used in spoken language.
While both "がち" and "っぽい" can be used to describe a tendency to do something frequently, "がち" is more formal and is often used in writing, whereas "っぽい" is more casual and is often used in spoken language.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, be sure to use the correct form of the verb or adjective stem. Also, pay attention to the context and use the correct casual or formal ending.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows N / V-masu (stem) / Adj-i (stem) + っぽい used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
その服、デザインが子供 っぽい ね。
Pattern used: っぽい
'Kodomo-ppoi' means it has child-like qualities, often used subjectively or somewhat negatively.
最近忘れ っぽい なってきて、困っている。
Pattern used: っぽい
'Wasure-ppoi' means having a tendency to forget things often.
このスープは少し油 っぽい ですね。
Pattern used: っぽい
Describes the soup as having an oily quality/feel.
Interactive
その服、デザインが子供 ______ ね。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.