Japanese grammar
What does ～（の）ように (like / as) mean? Japanese grammar N4
～（の）ように (like / as) means like ~, similar to ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N のように V N のような N V (plain form) ように V |
| Romaji | ~ (no) yō ni |
| Meaning | like ~, similar to ~ |
Forming it
| Verb | V (plain form) + ように |
|---|---|
| Noun + Noun | N + のような + N |
| Noun + Verb | N + のように + V |
How to use it
Compares or likens something/an action to something else (written, formal).
- ように makes a comparison: 「彼は鳥のように歌います」(he sings like a bird). Note the conjugation rule: modifying a VERB/ADJECTIVE uses のように, modifying a NOUN uses のような.
- ように is a FORMAL/written form. The casual form with the same meaning is みたい (the next pattern): 「鳥のように」(written) = 「鳥みたいに」(spoken). Same meaning, just different formality.
- Note the different conjugation between the two patterns — this is where Vietnamese speakers make the most mistakes: ように needs の after a noun (鳥のように), while みたい has NO の (鳥みたいに). Memorize this pair together.
- ように also has a PURPOSE meaning ("so that ~", going with non-volitional verbs) and a REQUEST meaning (～ように言う) — those are separate patterns; don't confuse them with the comparison meaning here.
Examples
彼女は鳥のようにきれいな声で歌います。
She sings with a beautiful voice like a bird.
雪のような白い花が咲いています。
White flowers like snow are blooming.
先生が説明したように書いてください。
Please write as the teacher explained.
Keep in mind
- A common phrase: 「～のように＋ください」→ 「先生が話したように読んでください」 (please read it the way the teacher spoke).
- With ように, what comes before is a REAL model used as the standard for comparison.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong鳥ように歌います。
She sings like a bird.
Correct鳥のように歌います。
After a NOUN, ように requires の. (みたい is the opposite: 鳥みたいに, with no の.)
-
Wrong公園に天使のように子どもがいます。
There is a child like an angel in the park.
Correct公園に天使のような子どもがいます。
のように only modifies a VERB／ADJECTIVE. To directly modify a NOUN (子ども), のような must be used.
Exam tips
- Memorize the conjugation table: のように + V／のような + N ↔ みたいに + V／みたいな + N.