まるで
marude
The Japanese phrase for "just like" is まるで (marude).
まるで is used to describe something by comparing it to something else that it resembles. It is often paired with other words to complete the comparison, such as the informal combination まるで〜みたい to say something "like" or "seems" like something else.
How do you pronounce it?
marude
Did you know?
- While まるで usually creates a comparison, it can be used alone as an adverb to mean 'completely' or 'entirely' when paired with a negative verb, such as saying someone has 'completely' forgotten something.
- In highly formal written Japanese, such as legal documents or ancient texts, まるで is often replaced by あたかも. While they mean 'just like', あたかも carries a weight of authority and literary prestige that まるで lacks.
- Starting a sentence with まるで can serve as a linguistic cue that the speaker is about to use sarcasm or irony. It signals to the listener that the comparison being made is intentionally untrue.
Examples in context
- まるで悪夢を見ているようです。It's just like a nightmare.This sentence shows how to use まるで to describe a nightmare.Tatoeba #789598 by arihato, translation #789599 by Swift
- まるで月面を歩いているみたいだ。It's just like walking on the moon.This sentence demonstrates using まるで to compare an experience to walking on the moon.Tatoeba #195147 by bunbuku, translation #32321 by CK
- その学校はまるで刑務所のように見える。That school looks just like a prison.This sentence illustrates using まるで to describe how a school appears to look like a prison.Tatoeba #1100936 by bunbuku, translation #1101541 by CK
- 彼の絵はまるで写真のようだ。His painting looks just like a photograph.
- 彼はまるで映画スターみたいだね。He looks just like a movie star.
- 彼と弟はそっくりの顔をしています。He and his brother have very similar faces.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a beautiful sunset from a cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの景色、まるで絵画のようだね。kono keshiki, marude kaiga no you da ne.This view is just like a painting, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当。すごく綺麗だよ。hontou. sugoku kirei da yo.Truly. It is so beautiful.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は、この景色を見てどう思った？misaki wa, kono keshiki o mite dou omotta?Misaki, what did you think when you saw this view?
- 美咲 Misaki感動して、言葉が出ないよ。kandou shite, kotoba ga denai yo.I am so moved, I am speechless.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
