Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 7
Structure of みたい:
Verb + みたい + だ
[い]Adjective + みたい + だ
[な]Adjective + みたい + だ
Noun + みたい + だ
Details about みたい:
In Japanese, there are many ways to express that something happens in a way that is 'like' something else, or 'resembles' something else. One of these ways is through the use of the な-Adjective, みたい. みたい can be used after any word that a な-Adjective would usually follow, to express that something is 'like (A)', or 'similar to (A)'.
- 明日は雪が降るみたいだ。It seems like it will snow tomorrow.
- そこのプールは浅いみたいだ。That pool over there seems shallow.
- 彼は地下鉄が嫌いみたいだ。It seems like he does not like subways.
- その携帯はパソコンみたいだ。That cellphone looks like a computer.
- 先輩は今日は来ないみたい。It seems like senpai is not coming today.
- 彼はスポーツ選手みたいな体をしている。He has a body like an athlete.
みたい
Usage Notes for みたい:
Despite みたい meaning 'to resemble', and being based on (usually) visual stimulus, it should not be confused with 見たい 'to want to see'. This is a common mistake that learners make, as みたい itself does not have a kanji form.
Synonyms for みたい:
にみえる
To look, To seem, To appear
ようだ
It seems that, It appears that, It looks like
そう
Look like, Appear, Seem, Have a feeling that
みたいに・みたいな
Like, Similar to, Resembling
そうに・そうな
Seem, Look like, Sound
ように・ような
As・like, Just like
らしい ①
Seems like, Apparently, I heard
Example of みたい
この犬は熊みたいです。
This dog looks like a bear.
あの人は有名人みたいです。
That person resembles/seems like a famous person.
今日の昼から雨が降るみたいです。
It looks like it will rain this afternoon.
あの雲は馬みたい。
That cloud resembles a horse. (Looks like)
あのビルは会社じゃなくて病院みたい。
It seems like that building is a hospital, and not a company.
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