un peu comme
The English phrase "much like" can be translated into French as un peu comme.
The phrase is used to say that two things are similar in some way.
Which one should you use?
You can use de la même manière que to mean "in the same way as" and genre to mean "kind of like."
Did you know?
- French uses the word comme in the common expression comme ci, comme ça to mean 'so-so', though this phrase is used much less frequently by native speakers than English textbooks suggest.
- While un peu comme literally translates to 'a little bit like', it is often used in French to make a comparison sound more polite or less blunt than a direct statement.
- If you want to emphasize that something is 'much like' instead of just 'a little like', you can use tout comme to suggest an almost identical nature.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are discussing a new painting.
- EmmaTu aimes ce tableau, Gabriel ?Do you like this painting, Gabriel?
- GabrielOui, c'est un peu comme un paysage réel.Yes, it is much like a real landscape.
- EmmaJe suis d'accord, les couleurs sont magnifiques.I agree, the colors are magnificent.
- GabrielC'est vraiment impressionnant.It is truly impressive.
