あたかも

also: あだかも

あ

た

か

も

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

adverb

usually written using kana alone

Used in the pattern あたかも～ようだ/ごとし to express a strong resemblance or metaphor. Often found in literary or formal speech.

その景色けしきはあたかも絵えのようだった。

The scenery was just like a painting.

2

adverb

right then; just at that moment

usually written using kana alone

Rare temporal use meaning 'at that very moment'. Mostly found in older literature; modern Japanese prefers ちょうどその時 or まさに.

あたかもUsage94%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
恰もUsage5%
- あたかも
  Rare kanji form; primarily used in literary or formal contexts.
- あだかも
  rarely-used kana form
あだかもUsage<1%
rarely-used kana form
Rare kana variant; it is rarely used.
宛も
rarely-used kanji form
- あたかも
  Very rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
- あだかも
  rarely-used kana form

まるで
まるで is the common, everyday equivalent for 'as if' and is used in casual and formal speech. あたかも is more literary and emphatic.
さながら
さながら also means 'just like' but is even more literary and often used in poetic or descriptive contexts.

The origin is uncertain. It may be a compound of あた (like) + かも (as if), but the exact derivation is unclear.