Translation guide
To say that one thing is similar to another, often using a comparison or analogy.
To say that A is like B, drawing a direct comparison.
The most direct and common way to say 'liken A to B'. Used for both literal and figurative comparisons.
彼は人生を旅にたとえた。
He likened life to a journey.
詩人は恋をバラにたとえることが多い。
Poets often liken love to a rose.
Similar to たとえる, but slightly more literary or formal. Often used in written contexts.
その小説は社会を動物園になぞらえている。
The novel likens society to a zoo.
Means to view or treat A as if it were B, often in artistic or imaginative contexts. Less common for general 'liken'.
彼は雲を動物に見立てて遊んだ。
He played by likening clouds to animals.
To state that two things share characteristics, often using adjectives like 'similar' or 'like'.
Simply states that A resembles B. Not a direct translation of 'liken', but often used when the English 'liken' implies a statement of similarity.
その形は星に似ている。
Its shape is likened to a star. (lit. resembles a star)
Expresses that A is like B. More subjective or impressionistic than 似ている.
たとえる is the most common and versatile for 'liken'. なぞらえる is more literary and often implies a detailed parallel. 見立てる is used when you imaginatively treat something as something else, often in play or art.
人生を旅にたとえるのは一般的だ。
Likening life to a journey is common.
彼はその状況を戦争になぞらえた。
He likened the situation to a war (in a detailed comparison).
彼女は彼の目を海にたとえた。
She likened his eyes to the ocean.
批評家たちはその映画をジェットコースターにたとえた。
Critics likened the movie to a rollercoaster ride.
His voice is likened to thunder. (lit. is like thunder)
The child likened the box to a car (pretended it was a car).
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'liken' in all contexts. Using たとえる with the particle に is the safest equivalent. Do not use 好む (このむ, to like) or other unrelated verbs.
The child likened the box to a car (pretended it was a car).
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'liken' in all contexts. Using たとえる with the particle に is the safest equivalent. Do not use 好む (このむ, to like) or other unrelated verbs.