似ている
nite iru
The English phrase 'something is similar' is translated to Japanese as 似ている (nite iru).
The phrase 似ている is used to describe two or more things that have qualities in common. Other ways to express similarity include saying that there are similarities using 相似点がある, or saying something seems like or is similar to something else using 〜のようです.
Which one should you use?
While the dictionary form 似る exists, it is rarely used alone to mean 'is similar'. It is almost always used in the state form 似ている. The form 似てる is a more informal version of 似ている.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form 似ている is used in casual conversation. For standard polite speech, use 似ています.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 似ている uses the continuous state form. This is necessary because similarity is viewed as a continuing state in Japanese rather than a momentary action. For the polite past tense, use 似ていました.
How do you pronounce it?
nite iru
Did you know?
- The phrase 似ている is frequently used in a culturally specific way to comment on a child's resemblance to a parent, often as a social lubricant to build rapport.
- While 似ている describes a general resemblance, the word そっくり is used when two things are so similar they are practically identical, acting as a 'dead ringer'.
- In mathematical contexts, Japanese uses the specialized term 相似 to describe 'similarity' rather than the common phrase 似ている.
Examples in context
- 2つの都市は文化や歴史の面で似ていますThe two cities are similar in terms of culture and history.
- この状況は去年の出来事に似ていますThis situation is similar to what happened last year.
- これらの2つの絵は互いに似て見えますThese two paintings look similar to each other.
- この二つのデザインは似ている。Kono futatsu no dezain wa nite iru.These two designs are similar.
- 性格が似ている友達がいます。Seikaku ga nite iru tomodachi ga imasu.I have a friend whose personality is similar to mine.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at photos of celebrities.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの二人の俳優は似ていると思わない？Kono futari no haiyu wa nite iru to omowanai?Don't you think these two actors are similar?
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、顔がすごく似ているね。Hontō da, kao ga sugoku nite iru ne.You're right, their faces are very similar.
- 大翔 Hiroto目元が特に似ている気がする。Memoto ga toku ni nite iru ki ga suru.I feel like their eyes are especially similar.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔君の言う通りだね。Hiroto-kun no iu tōri da ne.It's just as you say, Hiroto.
