Translation guide
How to express similarity, resemblance, or the quality of being like something in Japanese. Covers suffixes, nouns, and patterns for comparing appearances, characteristics, and impressions.
彼は父親に似ている。
He looks like his father.
日本的なデザインだ。
It's a Japanese-like design.
To say that someone or something looks like or resembles someone or something else.
The most common way to say 'resembles' or 'looks like'. Used for physical appearance, personality, or general similarity.
彼は父親に似ている。
He resembles his father.
This cloud looks like a dog.
Means 'exactly alike' or 'spitting image'. Used for strong resemblance.
彼はお父さんにそっくりだ。
He is the spitting image of his father.
Casual way to say 'looks like' or 'seems like'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
あの雲、犬みたい。
That cloud looks like a dog.
More formal or written equivalent of みたい. Used for resemblance or metaphorical likeness.
彼女の笑顔は太陽のようだ。
Her smile is like the sun.
To attach a suffix to a noun to mean 'like that thing' or 'in the manner of'.
Suffix meaning '-like', '-ish', or '-ic'. Attaches to nouns to form na-adjectives. Very productive.
彼の考え方は日本的だ。
His way of thinking is Japanese-like.
それは悲劇的な結末だった。
It was a tragic ending.
Suffix meaning 'typical of' or 'characteristic of'. Implies the subject embodies the essence of the noun.
今日は春らしい天気だ。
Today is spring-like weather.
彼は男らしい人だ。
He is a manly person.
Casual suffix meaning '-ish' or '-like'. Often carries a nuance of 'tending to' or 'somewhat'. Can be negative.
彼は忘れっぽい。
He is forgetful (forget-ish).
このスープ、水っぽいね。
This soup is watery (water-ish).
Suffix meaning 'in the style of' or '-style'. Used for fashion, design, or manner.
彼女は和風の服が好きだ。
She likes Japanese-style clothes.
To express that two things share similar qualities, characteristics, or are of the same kind.
Means 'in the same way as' or 'just like'. Used for manner or method similarity.
私と同じように考えてください。
Please think the same way as me.
Means 'have in common with'. Used for shared characteristics.
この二つの作品には共通点が多い。
These two works have many points in common.
To refer to a drawn, painted, or photographic likeness of a person.
Formal word for 'portrait' or 'likeness'. Used in art and official contexts.
この肖像は誰ですか。
Who is this portrait of?
A 'likeness' drawing, often a caricature or portrait sketch. Common for street artists.
らしい implies a positive, typical characteristic. っぽい often implies a negative or excessive tendency. みたい is a casual simile meaning 'looks like'.
While 的 is productive, attaching it to every noun can sound unnatural. Use established combinations or rephrase with のような when unsure.
彼に似顔絵を描いてもらった。
I had him draw my likeness.