Translation guide
To express that two things or people look or seem similar, Japanese uses several nouns, verbs, and adjectives. The most common and versatile is 似ている (nite iru), meaning 'to resemble'. Other options include 類似 (ruiji) for formal contexts, そっくり (sokkuri) for striking resemblance, and 似通う (nikayou) for sharing traits. The choice depends on the degree of similarity and the context.
彼は父親に似ている。
He resembles his father.
彼らはそっくりだ。
They look exactly alike.
To say that someone or something resembles another in appearance, personality, or nature.
The most common and natural way to say 'resemble'. It is the te-iru form of 似る (niru), indicating a state of resemblance. Can be used for people, objects, or abstract things.
彼は父親に似ている。
He resembles his father.
This painting resembles the real thing.
The dictionary form of 'to resemble'. Used in relative clauses or formal writing, but less common in everyday speech than 似ている.
性格が似ることもある。
Personalities can also resemble each other.
A noun meaning 'resemblance' or 'similarity'. Often used in formal, technical, or written contexts. Can be combined with する to mean 'to resemble'.
両者には類似点が多い。
There are many points of resemblance between the two.
この事件は過去の事件に類似している。
This case resembles a past case.
To emphasize that two things look exactly alike or are nearly identical.
A na-adjective or adverb meaning 'exactly alike' or 'spitting image'. Often used with だ or に似ている.
彼はおじいさんにそっくりだ。
He is the spitting image of his grandfather.
その双子はそっくりだ。
The twins look exactly alike.
Literally 'two halves of a melon', meaning 'as alike as two peas in a pod'. Used for people who look extremely similar.
Means 'living copy' or 'exact likeness'. Used for a person who strongly resembles another, often a relative.
To say that people or things share similar qualities, behaviors, or patterns.
A verb meaning 'to resemble each other' or 'to be similar in nature'. Often used for abstract qualities or when multiple items share traits.
彼らの考え方は似通っている。
Their ways of thinking resemble each other.
この二つの事件は似通った点がある。
These two incidents have points of resemblance.
A noun meaning 'common point' or 'shared characteristic'. Used to highlight specific resemblances.
To say that something is somewhat like something else, but not exactly.
Means 'vaguely resembles' or 'has a certain resemblance'. Used when the similarity is not strong or hard to pinpoint.
彼はどことなく兄に似ている。
He vaguely resembles his older brother.
Similar to どことなく, meaning 'somehow resembles'. More casual.
あの犬、なんとなくキツネに似ているね。
That dog somehow resembles a fox, doesn't it?
似ている is the general term for resemblance. そっくり emphasizes a striking, often visual, likeness. 類似 is formal and used for abstract or technical similarities.
彼は父親に似ている。
He resembles his father. (general)
彼は父親にそっくりだ。
He is the spitting image of his father. (strong)
この二つの理論は類似している。
These two theories resemble each other. (formal)
類似 is a formal word. Using it in everyday conversation can sound stiff or unnatural. Stick to 似ている or そっくり for casual contexts.
あの親子は瓜二つだ。
That parent and child look exactly alike.
彼女は母親の生き写しだ。
She is the living image of her mother.
二人には多くの共通点がある。
The two have many points of resemblance.