Japanese Grammar: Expressing Similarity or Metaphor 「よう」「みたい」

Before starting the exercise for expressing similarity or metaphor  「よう」「みたい」, please clarify any doubts you may have about the grammatical rules by referring to your grammar guidebook or dictionary. The Instantaneous Composition Method requires you to compose sentences with the target sentence pattern(s) over and over in order to use them almost effortlessly. You should already have the necessary knowledge.

Reference

Genki II – Lesson 17: ～みたいです and Lesson 22: ～のような / ～のように

Tae Kim’s Guide – Various ways to express similarity and hearsay

Instantaneous Composition Exercise for Expressing Similarity or Metaphor  「よう」「みたい」

This is not a translation exercise. This is the Instantaneous Composition Exercise. As if a reflexive action, try to create an equivalent Japanese sentence shortly after reading an English script. Try not to think for more than three seconds.

Audio File

English and Hidden Japanese Scripts

Note

「よう」 and 「みたい」 are interchangeable. However, 「みたい」 is more casual and generally used in spoken language. Here, we’re following the formal one. One important thing is when you modify a noun, the inflection is different. In regards to 「よう」, You need to attach 「の」 to a noun as follows:

Inflection

お父さんのようだ vs. お父さんみたいだ

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