What are differences between よう, みたい, だろう, らしい, そう, and っぽい?


Bit of a long one, I know. I know that they are linked in their meanings, but
I don't know when to use each one. Also, there are two types of そう, such as

大雪が降りそう and 大雪が降るそう

What are the differences?

Also, I hear that みたい is almost exactly the same as よう, but is more informal.
Is this correct?

I appreciate your help!




About a verbal auxiliary そうだ. 連用形(ます stem) of a verb + そうだ and stem of an
adjective mean “manner“. They are close to the English word “look like“. Plain
form of a verb and adjective + そうだ means “hearsay“. So 「 雨が降りそうだ」 is
translated as “ It looks like rain” and 「雨が降るそうだ。」 is translated as “ I hear
it will rain.” And you can omit だ.

ようだ is a verbal auxiliary which indicates "analogy" and "guess". For example,
この花は、虹のように美しい(This flower is beautiful like a rainbow), 猫は家にはいないようだ(I guess my
cat isn't in my house.). These are other usages.
<http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/226613/meaning/m0u/>

だろう indicates speaker's guess. みたい indicates "analogy" and "unclear
predication“. らしい indicates "“hearsay“ and "a valid guess". I think っぽい can
indicate "analogy", "hearsay", “manner“ and "guess", and it isn't formal.

