Japanese grammar
What does ～みたいだ mean? Japanese grammar N3
～みたいだ means looks like…; seems like… (casual).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | plain form + みたいだ N + みたいだ N + みたいな + N N + みたいに + V |
| Romaji | mitaida |
| Meaning | looks like…; seems like… (casual) |
Forming it
| Guess | 怒っている → 怒っているみたいだ |
|---|---|
| Simile | 子ども → 子どもみたいだ |
How to use it
Two meanings: (a) a guess based on what one has observed; (b) a simile, "like…". Colloquial.
- Meaning (a) GUESS: based on something directly seen/heard — 「電気が消えている。もう寝たみたいだ」.
- Meaning (b) SIMILE: 「彼はまるで子どもみたいだ」. Modifying a noun uses 「みたいな」, modifying a verb uses 「みたいに」.
- A noun connects DIRECTLY (unlike 「ようだ」 which needs 「の」): 「子どもみたいだ」 ↔ 「子どものようだ」. 「みたいだ」 is colloquial; written language uses 「ようだ」.
Examples
電気が消えている。彼はもう寝たみたいだ。
The light is off. It seems he has already gone to bed.
あの人は日本人みたいに日本語が上手だ。
That person speaks Japanese as well as a Japanese person.
Keep in mind
- Nouns connect directly, without adding 「の」.
- In formal writing, 「ようだ」 is used instead.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong子どものみたいだ。
Looks like a child.
Correct子どもみたいだ。
「みたいだ」 connects to a noun directly; 「の」 belongs to 「ようだ」.
-
Wrong（報告書に）売上が減っているみたいです。
Sales appear to be declining.
Correct（報告書に）売上が減っているようです。
Formal writing uses 「ようだ」.
Exam tips
- 「みたいだ」 = it seems / like (colloquial); a noun connects directly.