みたい
mitai[mʲita̠i]
The phrase "it seems like" in Japanese is みたい (mitai).
みたい is used to say that something appears to be true based on the available evidence.
Which one should you use?
みたい is more colloquial and common in spoken Japanese compared to the more formal よう. Additionally, ～っぽい is a colloquial way to express "it seems like."
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use みたいな to modify a noun directly (meaning "like" or "similar to"). Changing the ending to みたいに allows the phrase to function as an adverb to modify a verb or adjective (meaning "like" or "in the manner of").
How do you pronounce it?
mitai
Did you know?
- The phrase みたい traces its origins back to the phrase 見たよう, which literally translates to 'as if one had seen'.
- In casual speech, people often stretch the final vowel of みたい to みたい～ to express doubt or a softening of the opinion.
- Using みたい to describe a person can sometimes be interpreted as a subtle way of saying they are pretending or acting like something they are not.
Examples in context
- 同情作戦に出たみたいね。It seems like they decided to use a sympathy play.This sentence shows how to use みたい to describe a perceived strategy.Tatoeba #10990482 by small_snow, translation #13706351 by terrywallwork
- 同情を誘う作戦に出たみたいだ。It seems like they resorted to a strategy meant to elicit sympathy.This sentence shows how to use みたい in a plain sentence structure with だ.Tatoeba #10990479 by small_snow, translation #12623379 by urro
- 本当にほうれん草が嫌いみたいね。It seems like you really hate spinach.This sentence shows how to use みたい to express an observation about someone's preferences.Tatoeba #11563547 by small_snow, translation #12436149 by CK
- 彼女は疲れている みたいです 。She seems tired.
- 彼の話は本当っぽくない よ 。His story doesn't seem true.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
The two friends are looking at a crowded restaurant from outside.
- 陽葵 Himariあのお店、すごく混んでいるみたいだね。Ano omise, sugoku konde iru mitai da ne.It seems like that shop is very crowded.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。予約が必要みたいだよ。Hontou da. Yoyaku ga hitsuyou mitai da yo.You're right. It seems like a reservation is necessary.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、他のお店を探そうか。Ren-kun, hoka no omise o sagasou ka.Ren, shall we look for another shop?
- 蓮 Renそうだね、そうしよう。Sou da ne, sou shiyou.Yeah, let's do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry みたい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries みたい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
