Learning how to use the word “as” in Japanese can greatly enhance your linguistic skills and enable you to express yourself more effectively. In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways to say “as” in both formal and informal manners. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “As” in Japanese
In formal Japanese, there are a few different phrases you can use to convey the meaning of “as.” Here are some commonly used expressions:
- 〜として ( ~to shite)
This phrase is often used to describe someone’s official position or role. It is used when referring to someone acting or serving as a certain thing or profession. For example:
私は医者として働いています。
(Watashi wa isha to shite hataraiteimasu.)
I work as a doctor.
〜と同じように ( ~to onaji you ni)
When you want to express a similarity or comparison between two actions or states, you can use this phrase. It implies doing something “as” or “in the same way as” another person or thing. For instance:
私は姉と同じようにピアノを練習しています。
(Watashi wa ane to onaji you ni piano o renshuu shiteimasu.)
I practice the piano as my sister does.
〜につれて ( ~ni tsurete)
This phrase is used to express a change or progression in one action or state “as” another action or state progresses. It implies that one thing happens gradually in correlation with another. For example:
彼の英語が上達するにつれて、自信がついてきました。
(Kare no eigo ga joutatsu suru ni tsurete, jishin ga tsuite kimashita.)
As his English improved, his confidence grew.
Informal Ways to Say “As” in Japanese
Informal Japanese provides several alternative expressions to convey the meaning of “as” in a less formal manner. Here are some commonly used phrases:
- 〜みたいに ( ~mitai ni)
This phrase is often used to express a similarity or comparison between two things or actions in a casual context. It can be translated as “like” or “as if.” For instance:
あの映画は恋愛みたいに感動的だった。
(Ano eiga wa ren’ai mitai ni kandouteki datta.)
That movie was emotionally moving, like a love story.
〜って感じ ( ~tte kanji)
This expression is commonly used in spoken language to convey a feeling or impression similar to something else. It can be translated as “kind of” or “like.” For example:
今日の天気は夏って感じだね。
(Kyou no tenki wa natsu tte kanji da ne.)
The weather today feels like summer, doesn’t it?
〜みたいな感じ ( ~mitai na kanji)
Similar to the previous phrase, this expression is used when you want to convey a feeling or sensation similar to something else. It is often used in casual conversations. For instance:
彼の話し方は野球選手みたいな感じがする。
(Kare no hanashikata wa yakyuu senshu mitai na kanji ga suru.)
The way he speaks gives me a feeling like that of a baseball player.
Examples of “As” in Japanese
Here are some additional examples to help you understand how to use “as” in Japanese:
- 私は学生として大学に通っています。
- 彼は猫と同じようにくつろいでいる。
- 彼女は笑顔につれて会話も増えた。
- あの人は鳥みたいに自由に飛び回る。
- この部屋はヨーロッパって感じですね。
- 東京の街はニューヨークみたいな感じがある。
By incorporating these phrases into your Japanese conversations, you can effectively express various meanings of “as.” Keep practicing and discover more ways to incorporate this versatile word into your language repertoire. Happy learning!
