Translation guide
Expresses that something is similar to or looks like something else. Japanese uses various suffixes, verbs, and grammatical patterns depending on the nuance (appearance, character, metaphorical resemblance, etc.).
To say that something looks like or appears similar to something else based on visual impression.
Casual and common way to say 'looks like N'. Used in everyday conversation.
あの雲、犬みたいだね。
That cloud looks like a dog, doesn't it?
Slightly more formal/written equivalent of みたいだ. 'It is like N'.
Her smile is like the sun.
Attaches to nouns to mean '-ish' or 'like'. Often implies a negative or childish nuance.
その服、子供っぽいね。
Those clothes are childish, aren't they?
Verb meaning 'to resemble'. Used for physical or characteristic resemblance.
彼は父親に似ている。
He resembles his father.
To say that something has the nature, quality, or typical characteristics of something else.
Means 'typical of N' or 'just like N should be'. Expresses that something embodies the expected qualities of N.
今日は春らしい天気だ。
Today is typical spring weather.
Casual way to say 'like N' when modifying a noun. 'A thing like N'.
東京みたいな大都会に住みたい。
I want to live in a big city like Tokyo.
More formal equivalent of みたいな. 'A thing like N'.
彼のような人は珍しい。
People like him are rare.
To describe a situation or action that is metaphorically similar to something else, often using 'as if'.
Emphasizes a metaphorical comparison. 'Just like N' or 'as if N'.
彼女はまるで天使のようだ。
She is just like an angel.
Casual version of the above.
この部屋、まるで冷蔵庫みたいだ。
This room is just like a refrigerator.
To describe something that has the shape or form of something else, often used in technical or descriptive contexts.
Suffix meaning '-shaped' or 'in the form of'. Used in compound words.
この葉は針状だ。
This leaf is needle-shaped.
Suffix meaning '-shaped' or 'type'. Often used for molds or models.
これは星形のクッキーだ。
These are star-shaped cookies.
みたい is a casual, subjective similarity based on appearance or impression. らしい expresses that something is typical or characteristic of a category. っぽい often carries a negative nuance of 'too much like' or 'childish'.
English 'resembling' is often a participle. In Japanese, use 似ている or the patterns above. Avoid direct translation with a single word.