似ている
The English phrase 'look like' is translated into Japanese as 似ている.
The phrase 似ている is used to express that two things are similar to each other. While it is often translated as 'look like' in English, it is used more broadly to mean 'is similar to' in terms of character, style or appearance. To say 'A looks like B', you use the structure [A] は [B] に 似ている.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 似ている is the continuous form of the verb 似る, and it is the standard way to express that two things look or are similar to each other.
Did you know?
- Japanese has a distinct difference between 似ている for general similarity and 見える for something that simply 'looks like' a certain object at first glance.
- The verb 似る can be used transitively as 似せる to mean 'to imitate' or 'to fake' the appearance of something.
- While 似ている describes a likeness, Japanese speakers use the word そっくり as an intensifier to say two people are 'dead ringers' for each other.
Examples in context
- あなたはお母さんに似ている。You look like your mother.This sentence shows how to say someone looks like their mother using 似ている.Tatoeba #2599305 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #1934858 by Spamster
- 僕って、トムに似ていると思う？Do you think I look like Tom?This sentence is useful for asking if someone thinks you look like Tom using 似ている.Tatoeba #3366771 by arnab, translation #3359932 by CK
- ご両親のどちらに似ていると思いますか。Which of your parents do you think you look like?This sentence is useful for asking which parent someone looks like using 似ている.Tatoeba #216980 by bunbuku, translation #1338956 by CK
- 私の兄は有名な俳優のように見えます。My older brother looks like a famous actor.
- この絵は本物の風景のように見えます。This painting looks like a real landscape.
- 彼女は母親に似た顔をしています。She looks like her mother.
- その新しい家は古いデザインに似た外観を持っています。The new house has an exterior that looks like an old design.
- ねこの目がまるいみたい！The cat's eyes look round!
- 彼は昨日酔っ払ったみたい。He looks like he got drunk yesterday.
- その新しい車は高級っぽい。That new car looks luxurious.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are looking at a photo of their cousin.
- 陽太 Yotaこの子、陽葵に似ているね。Kono ko, Himari ni nite iru ne.This child looks like you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ！どこが似ているかな？Hontou da! Doko ga nite iru kana?You're right! I wonder what part looks similar?
- 陽太 Yota目がとても似ていると思うよ。Me ga totemo nite iru to omou yo.I think the eyes look very similar.
- 陽葵 Himariそうかもね。嬉しいな。Sou kamo ne. Ureshii na.Maybe so. I'm happy to hear that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
