This means something looks like or acts like something else. It is like saying "-ish" or "-like" in English.
Noun + っぽいPrimary
Verb [stem] + っぽい
い-Adjective [stem] + っぽい
This means something looks like or acts like something else. It is like saying "-ish" or "-like" in English.
彼は大人っぽい服装をしているけど、話すとまだあどけないね。
He wears mature-looking clothes, but when he talks, he's still quite innocent.
年を取ってから、どうも忘れっぽくなった気がする。
Ever since I've gotten older, I feel like I've become quite forgetful.
このデザインは、あまり子供っぽくなくていいですね。
This design isn't too childish, which is nice.
このセーター、新品なのに白っぽいんじゃなくて黄ばんで見える。
Even though this sweater is new, it doesn't look whitish, it looks yellowed.
あの黒い服の男、なんか怒りっぽくて近寄りがたい雰囲気がある。
That man in the black clothes seems kind of quick to anger and has an unapproachable vibe.
This word often shows a feeling. It can mean something is too much. Or it is not quite right. For example, 'childish' is often a criticism. But 'childlike' is usually a good thing. This word can make things sound cheap or argumentative.
Both "~ppoi" and "~mitai" mean "like" or "seems". "~ppoi" means something has the true nature of that thing. It is a deep feeling. "~mitai" is for things that just look or act like something. It is more on the surface. For example, "onna-ppoi" means truly feminine. "Onna-mitai" might just mean a high voice.
Don't use this when you want to say something is 'quiet-ish'. You can add 〜っぽい to nouns. You can add it to verb stems. You can also add it to い-adjective stems. The new word becomes an い-adjective. It changes like other い-adjectives. For example, 'っぽかった' is past tense. 'っぽくない' is negative. 'っぽくて' is the te-form.
Often confused with(1)
Contrasts with(2)
Less formal alternatives(1)
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