Meaning
Shows similarity: ような describes a noun, ように an action or quality.
Formation
- Before a noun: Nの + ような: 夢のような話. A plain verb form in the tense the meaning needs + ような: 日本で食べたような寿司
- ように when the comparison describes the verb or adjective itself: 鳥のように飛ぶ, 風のように速く走る; 約束したように本を返します. ような when it describes a noun, even with an adjective in between: ガラスのような青い海
When to use it
- Core use
- Like this, in the same way as
Examples
20 sentences-
これは夢のような話です
This is a dreamlike story.
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鳥のように空を飛びたいです
I want to fly through the sky like a bird.
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ガラスのような青い海が広がっています
A blue sea like glass stretches out before us.
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町の灯りが星のように輝いています
The town lights shine like stars.
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あの選手は風のように速く走ります
That athlete runs as fast as the wind.
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綿のような雪が空から落ちてきました
Cotton-like snow fell from the sky.
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映画のような不思議な一日でした
It was a strange day like something from a film.
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彼女は鈴のようなきれいな声で歌います
She sings with a clear voice like a bell.
12 more examples
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雪で手が氷のように冷たくなりました
The snow made my hands as cold as ice.
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夜空に花のような花火が開きました
A flower-like firework opened in the night sky.
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今日は山のような宿題があります
I have a mountain of homework today.
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東京のような大きい町には住みたくありません
I do not want to live in a big city like Tokyo.
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先生が話すように私も話したいです
I want to speak the way the teacher does.
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このような間違いはよくあります
Mistakes like this are common.
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子どものように喜んでいました
He was delighted like a child.
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雪のように白い花です
It is a flower as white as snow.
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父のような大人になりたいです
I want to become an adult like my father.
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いつものように朝六時に起きました
I got up at six as usual.
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日本で食べたような寿司を作りたいです
I want to make sushi like the sushi I ate in Japan.
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約束したように本を返します
I will return the book as promised.
Important notes
- ような modifies a noun, and ように modifies an action or quality.
Common mistakes
- Keep the following word in mind: 夢のような話, but 鳥のように飛ぶ.
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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