Translation guide
The English word "like" has many uses. This guide covers the most important ones for learners: expressing similarity, giving examples, stating preferences, describing feelings, and more. Each meaning is organized with natural Japanese expressions.
猫が好きです。
I like cats.
彼女は私にとって妹のような存在です。
She's like a sister to me.
To say that something is similar to something else.
Used to describe a noun as being like another noun. のような is the adjectival form of ようだ.
彼は子供のような心を持っている。
He has a childlike heart.
あの雲は犬のような形だ。
That cloud is shaped like a dog.
Casual equivalent of のような. Very common in spoken Japanese.
あの人は芸能人みたいな顔だね。
That person has a face like a celebrity, huh.
Verb meaning 'to resemble'. Used to say two things are alike.
この二つの絵はとても似ている。
These two pictures are very similar.
To introduce examples, like 'such as' or 'for instance'.
Means 'such as', 'etc.', or 'and the like'. Often used with や.
果物では、りんごやバナナなどが好きです。
As for fruit, I like apples, bananas, and such.
Casual listing particle, similar to 'like' when giving examples.
To express that you enjoy or have a fondness for something.
Na-adjective meaning 'liked' or 'favorite'. Used with が to mark the liked thing. The subject is often omitted.
To politely express a desire or wish.
Expresses 'I want to do V'. Polite form. For 'would like', it's often softened with んですが or たいんですが.
映画を見たいです。
I'd like to watch a movie.
ちょっと休みたいんですが。
I'd like to take a short break.
To indicate an approximate amount or time, like 'about' or 'around'.
Means 'about' or 'approximately'. くらい and ぐらい are interchangeable.
駅まで10分くらいかかります。
It takes about 10 minutes to the station.
100人ぐらい来ました。
About 100 people came.
Used as a filler word in casual speech, similar to 'like' or 'you know'.
Japanese doesn't have a direct equivalent of the filler 'like'. Instead, use あの (ano) or えーと (eeto) to pause or hesitate.
あの、ちょっと聞きたいことがあるんですが。
Um, like, I have something I want to ask.
えーと、何て言うか…
Like, how should I say it...
To report what someone said or thought, often in casual storytelling.
Casual quotative particle, equivalent to 'was like' or 'said'. Used after the quoted phrase.
彼が「行きたくない」って。
He was like, 'I don't want to go.'
English speakers often use 'like' as a filler word (e.g., 'It was, like, so cool'). Japanese doesn't have a direct equivalent. Instead, use pauses, あの, えーと, or なんか in very casual speech. Overusing なんか can sound sloppy.
あの、それで、何だっけ…
Like, so, what was it...
好き is the standard way to say 'like' for preferences. 好む is more formal and often used in writing or to express a general preference rather than a specific liking. In daily conversation, stick with 好き.
みたい is a very versatile casual word. It can mean 'looks like', 'seems like', or 'similar to'. It's often used in place of ようだ in spoken Japanese. Example: あの人、怒ってるみたい。(That person looks like they're angry.)
どんな味がしますか？
What does it taste like?
寿司が食べたい気分です。
I feel like eating sushi.
彼は私にとって父親のような人です。
He's like a father to me.
休みの日は、映画を見るとか、買い物に行くとかしてる。
On my days off, I do stuff like watch movies or go shopping.
Can also be used to give examples, meaning 'things like N'.
東京のような大都市では、家賃が高い。
In big cities like Tokyo, rent is high.
私は猫が好きです。
I like cats.
コーヒーが好きですか？
Do you like coffee?
More formal/literary verb for 'to like' or 'to prefer'. Less common in daily speech.
彼は静かな環境を好む。
He prefers quiet environments.
Expresses 'I want N'. For 'would like', it's polite enough on its own.
新しいパソコンがほしいです。
I'd like a new computer.
More formal than くらい. Often used in written Japanese.
会議は1時間ほど続いた。
The meeting lasted about an hour.
なんか (nanka) can be used as a filler, similar to 'like' or 'kind of'. Very casual.
なんか、今日は調子が出ないんだよね。
Like, I'm just not feeling it today.
それで、私「えーっ」って感じだった。
And I was like, 'What?!'
Standard quotative pattern. More formal than って.
彼は「大丈夫だ」と言った。
He said, 'It's okay.'