Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that two or more things are similar in Japanese, from casual to formal, and from general resemblance to specific shared characteristics.
To say that two things are similar in a broad sense, without specifying how.
The most common and versatile way to say 'be similar'. Used for appearance, character, or nature. Often used in the progressive form 似ている rather than 似る.
These two pictures are very similar.
He resembles his father.
The dictionary form of 'resemble'. Less common in everyday speech than 似ている, but used in formal or written contexts.
The twins look very much alike.
Emphasizes a strong similarity. 'Very similar' or 'look a lot alike'.
Those brothers look a lot alike, don't they?
Means 'identical' or 'spitting image'. Stronger than 似ている, often used for striking resemblance.
She is the spitting image of her mother.
To express that things share similar characteristics, properties, or qualities.
To say that words, concepts, or roles are alike.
To describe physical resemblance or analogous structure.
To compare quantities, levels, or extents.
Means 'about the same (degree/amount)'. Used with adjectives or verbs.
He is about as tall as I am.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'they're pretty much the same' or 'there's not much difference'. Often used dismissively.
Whichever you choose, it's pretty much the same.
似ている is a general 'similar', while そっくりだ means 'identical' or 'spitting image'. Use そっくりだ for striking resemblance, especially in appearance.
He looks like his father.
He is the spitting image of his father.
類似している is very formal and can sound stiff in everyday conversation. Stick to 似ている or 似通っている for most situations.
These two problems are similar in many respects.
This product is similar to existing ones.
These two words have similar meanings.