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What does this building remind you of? Its tall tower brings a familiar castle to mind.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 3

〜みたいです~mitai desu

similarity-based comparison

Use 「〜みたいです」 to compare something with a familiar thing based on noticeable similarities.

How it works

  1. What does this building remind you of? Its tall tower brings a familiar castle to mind.

    What does this building remind you of? Its tall tower brings a familiar castle to mind.

  2. 「みたいです」 can mean “is like…”. It conveys an immediate impression through something familiar.

    「みたいです」 can mean “is like…”. It conveys an immediate impression through something familiar.

  3. A comparison picks out similarities: the building and the castle in the picture both have tall towers and arched entrances.

    A comparison picks out similarities: the building and the castle in the picture both have tall towers and arched entrances.

  4. Attach 「みたいです」 directly to a noun, without 「の」 or 「だ」: 迷路みたいです。

    Attach 「みたいです」 directly to a noun, without 「の」 or 「だ」: 迷路みたいです。

  5. 「迷路みたいです」 highlights complicated paths that make it easy to get lost. It does not say this place is an actual maze.

    「迷路みたいです」 highlights complicated paths that make it easy to get lost. It does not say this place is an actual maze.

  6. 「お祭りみたいです」 highlights the crowds and lively atmosphere. It does not say a festival is actually taking place here.

「お祭りみたいです」 highlights the crowds and lively atmosphere. It does not say a festival is actually taking place here.

  • The 「みたいです」 you learned earlier infers facts from clues. These two examples use similarities to make comparisons.

    The 「みたいです」 you learned earlier infers facts from clues. These two examples use similarities to make comparisons.

    • Example sentences

    • ここkokoはわwa迷路めいろmeiroみたいです。みたいですmitaidesu

      This place is like a maze. (example)

    • このkono地域ちいきchiikiはわwa人ひとhitoがga多くおおくookuて、てteお祭りおまつりomatsuriみたいです。みたいですmitaidesu

      This area is crowded, like a festival.

    In a conversation

    • A
      ここはわどこですか。か

      A: Where is this?

    • B
      この建物たてものはわとても古いですふるいですね。ね

      B: This building is very old.

    • A
      そうですね。ねお城おしろみたいですね。ね

      A: Yes, it looks like a castle.

    • B
      周囲しゅういの景色けしきもきれいです。きれいです

      B: The surrounding scenery is also beautiful.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      This street is complex and like a maze.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      この通りは複雑で迷路 。

      This street is complicated and like a maze.

    More grammar in this theme

    • 受身形passive voice, receiver in focus
    • 〜のにunexpected contrast, despite
    • 〜みたいですseems, based on clues
    • 〜ようですinference from clues
    • 〜ところですaction stage right now
    • 〜てきますgradual approach or appearance
    • 〜そうに〜appearance while doing something
    • 〜みたいですsimilarity-based comparison
    Previous〜そうに〜

    Keep practising

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