Which one should you use?
While みたい is used for impressions or comparisons, it differs from rashii, which is used for reporting hearsay or information heard from others.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
みたい is an informal expression. For a formal equivalent used to indicate speculation or to express an assumption, you can use ようです. In written contexts, the more formal equivalent is ようだ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can change its form depending on how you want to use it in a sentence. In neutral or plain speech, it is often used in its dictionary form みたいだ to end a sentence. To make the phrase polite, attach desu to the end, resulting in みたいです. Adding no after mitai turns the phrase into a noun-like expression, みたいの, meaning "something like [X]". Changing the ending to みたいに allows the phrase to function as an adverb, meaning "like / in the manner of".
Did you know?
- The phrase みたい is a relatively modern invention that only began appearing in the middle of the Meiji period.
- In casual speech, みたい is often used as a filler word or hedge to soften a statement, even when the speaker is certain.
- Because みたい can function as a 'na-adjective', you can attach it directly to nouns to describe them, such as 夢みたい for 'dream-like'.
Examples in context
- いい人みたいじゃないか。He seems like quite a find.This sentence uses みたい to describe someone who seems like a good person.Tatoeba #229343 by small_snow, translation #66701 by CM
- 同情作戦に出たみたいね。It seems like they decided to use a sympathy play.This sentence uses みたい to express an impression about a specific tactic or play.Tatoeba #10990482 by small_snow, translation #13706351 by terrywallwork
- 映画のシナリオみたいですね。This seems like something out of a movie, doesn't it?This sentence uses みたい to compare a situation to a movie scenario.Tatoeba #189327 by small_snow, translation #2737426 by CK
- 彼は疲れているようです。He seems tired.
- このプレゼントが好きなようですね。It seems you like this present.
- 彼女は幸せそうな顔をしている。She seems to have a happy face.
- あの人、怒ってるっぽいよ。That person seems angry.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are looking at the sky before leaving the house.
- 美咲 Misaki雨が降るみたいだよ。Ame ga furu mitai da yo.It seems like it's going to rain.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。傘を持って行こう。Hontou da. Kasa o motte ikou.You're right. Let's take an umbrella.
- 美咲 Misaki風も強いみたいね。Kaze mo tsuyoi mitai ne.The wind seems strong too, doesn't it?
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。気をつけて行こう。Sou da ne. Ki o tsukete ikou.Yeah. Let's be careful on the way.
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.
