Meaning
A casual way to say that something seems similar or gives that impression.
Formation
- Noun or plain form + みたいだ: うさぎみたいです
- Before a noun みたいな, before a verb or adjective みたいに
When to use it
- Core use
- Seems so, casual impression
Examples
20 sentences-
あの雲はうさぎみたいです
That cloud looks like a rabbit.
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このパンはケーキみたいに甘いです
This bread is sweet like cake.
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彼は今日とても眠いみたいです
He seems very sleepy today.
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外の音を聞くと雨が降っているみたいです
From the sound outside, it seems to be raining.
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あの二人は兄弟みたいによく似ています
Those two look so alike, as if they were siblings.
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彼の部屋は本が多すぎて本屋みたいです
His room has so many books that it looks like a bookstore.
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朝の湖は大きな鏡みたいです
The lake in the morning looks like a giant mirror.
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白い雪が綿みたいに木に積もっています
White snow is piled on the trees like cotton.
12 more examples
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初めて来た駅は迷路みたいでした
The station I visited for the first time was like a maze.
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弟は大きな熊みたいに眠っています
My younger brother is sleeping like a big bear.
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明後日は雨みたいです
It looks like it will rain the day after tomorrow.
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この部屋は静かみたいです
It looks like this room is quiet.
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この道は安全みたいです
It looks like this road is safe.
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彼はもう家に帰ったみたいです
It looks like he has already gone home.
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今度の試験は難しいみたいです
It looks like the coming exam will be difficult.
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その荷物は重いみたいです
It looks like that luggage is heavy.
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電車は五時に着くみたいです
It looks like the train will arrive at five.
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田中さんは今日来ないみたいです
It looks like Mr. Tanaka will not come today.
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その店は休みみたいです
It looks like that shop is closed for the day.
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新しい先生は親切みたいです
It looks like the new teacher is kind.
Important notes
- みたい is conversational comparison or inference from evidence.
Common mistakes
- A noun attaches directly: 学生みたい, not 学生だみたい.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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