〜っぽい
ppoi
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"-ish", "looks like ~", "tends to ~" — often slightly negative.
Attaches to nouns, い-adjective stems and a few ます-stems, and conjugates as an い-adjective. 子供っぽい (childish) is critical, unlike 子供らしい (charmingly childlike).
Casual description of appearance, colour or a tendency.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
N + っぽい (子供っぽい, 水っぽい)い-adj stem + っぽい (安っぽい, 白っぽい)V-ます stem + っぽい (忘れっぽい, 怒りっぽい)Conjugates as an い-adjective
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 子供っぽい | childish (negative: acting like a child when not one) | 大人なのに子供っぽい |
| 子供らしい | childlike (positive: typical of a child) | 子供らしい笑顔 |
| 子供みたい | like a child (neutral resemblance) | 子供みたいに喜ぶ |
Natural examples
彼は最近、忘れっぽくなった。
かれはさいきん、わすれっぽくなった。
He's become forgetful lately.
子供っぽい服は着たくない。
こどもっぽいふくはきたくない。
I don't want to wear childish clothes.
この写真、少し白っぽいね。
このしゃしん、すこししろっぽいね。
This photo is a bit whitish, isn't it.
この服は安っぽく見える。
このふくはやすっぽくみえる。
These clothes look cheap.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜らしい
Typical of, in a good way: 男らしい (manly). っぽい can be critical.
Tends to (actions, undesirable): 遅刻しがち. っぽい is about qualities and appearance. Compare side by side
〜みたい / 〜のようだ
Neutral resemblance.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 子供らしい大人 (intended: childish)
- ✓
- 子供っぽい大人
- Why
- らしい is positive ("a proper child"); for a criticism use っぽい.
- ✗
- 忘れるっぽい
- ✓
- 忘れっぽい
- Why
- Verbs attach with the ます stem.
- ✗
- 白いっぽい
- ✓
- 白っぽい
- Why
- い-adjectives drop い before っぽい.
子供っぽい (childish, negative) vs 子供らしい (childlike, appropriate). Common: 怒りっぽい, 飽きっぽい, 安っぽい, 水っぽい, 男っぽい. In slang, っぽい after a clause means "seems like": 雨っぽい, 行くっぽい (very casual).
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- A description with a hint of criticism (acting like, looking cheap, tending to) = っぽい.
- The らしい / っぽい contrast is a common item: positive typicality = らしい, negative imitation = っぽい.
- Check the stem: ます stem for verbs, adjective stem without い.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜っぽい mean?
"-ish", "looks like ~", "tends to ~" — often slightly negative. Attaches to nouns, い-adjective stems and a few ます-stems, and conjugates as an い-adjective. 子供っぽい (childish) is critical, unlike 子供らしい (charmingly childlike).
How do you form 〜っぽい?
N + っぽい (子供っぽい, 水っぽい) / い-adj stem + っぽい (安っぽい, 白っぽい) / V-ます stem + っぽい (忘れっぽい, 怒りっぽい) / Conjugates as an い-adjective. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜っぽい used?
Casual description of appearance, colour or a tendency.
What is the difference between 〜っぽい and 〜らしい?
Typical of, in a good way: 男らしい (manly). っぽい can be critical.
What is the difference between 〜っぽい and 〜がち?
Tends to (actions, undesirable): 遅刻しがち. っぽい is about qualities and appearance.
What is a common mistake with 〜っぽい?
Wrong: 子供らしい大人 (intended: childish) Right: 子供っぽい大人 らしい is positive ("a proper child"); for a criticism use っぽい.
Quick check
祖父は最近、（ ）なって、同じ話を何度もする。