Translation guide
How to express similarity or equivalence in Japanese, from casual comparisons to formal written patterns.
To say that something is exactly the same as something else, or that an action is done in exactly the same way.
A common pattern meaning 'just like' or 'as if'. まるで emphasizes the similarity. ようだ can be conjugated (ような, ように).
彼はまるでプロの歌手のように歌う。
He sings just like a professional singer.
この景色はまるで絵のようだ。
This scenery is just like a painting.
To describe doing something in the same manner as someone or something else.
The adverbial form of ようだ. Used to say 'do something just like ...'.
先生のように話してください。
Please speak just like the teacher.
彼女のように走りたい。
I want to run just like her.
To describe a situation that seems to be the case but may not be, or a hypothetical comparison.
Adds か for a more hypothetical or uncertain nuance. Often used with verbs.
彼はまるで何も知らなかったかのように振る舞った。
He acted just like he knew nothing.
ようだ is slightly more formal and written, while みたいだ is conversational. Both mean 'like' or 'as if'. まるで is often added for emphasis.
彼はまるで子供みたいだ。
He is just like a child.
彼はまるで子供のようだ。
He is just like a child. (more formal)
The English word 'just' in 'just like' does not directly translate to だけ or ちょうど in most cases. Use まるで or the patterns above instead.
Used to say something is the very embodiment of a quality or thing. Stronger than ようだ.
彼の部屋は芸術そのものだ。
His room is just like art itself.
Means 'exactly like' or 'the spitting image of'. Often used for physical resemblance.
彼女は母親とそっくりだ。
She is just like her mother.
A literary or formal expression meaning 'just like'. Often used in written descriptions.
その光景は地獄さながらだった。
The scene was just like hell.
Literally 'in the same way as'. Slightly more explicit than のように.
前回と同じようにやってください。
Please do it just like last time.
Formal expression meaning 'following the example of' or 'in imitation of'.
前例に倣って処理する。
We will handle it just like the precedent.
Casual equivalent of のように. Common in spoken Japanese.
彼女は天使みたいに優しい。
She is kind just like an angel.