まるで

まるで
adverb
just like, as if, completely
1. just like, as if
Used to draw a comparison, typically followed by ようだ/みたいだ.
まるで夢(ゆめ)のようだ。
It's just like a dream.
彼(かれ)はまるで子供(こども)みたいに泣(な)いた。
He cried just like a child.
この町(まち)はまるで外国(がいこく)のようだ。
This town looks just like a foreign country.
2. completely, entirely
Used with negative expressions to mean 'not at all'.
まるで分(わ)からない。
I don't understand at all.
With negative = completely/not at all
まるで違(ちが)う。
It's completely different.
説明(せつめい)を聞(き)いたがまるで理解(りかい)できなかった。
I listened to the explanation, but I couldn't understand it at all.

まるで has two distinct uses: drawing vivid comparisons ("just like") and emphasizing completeness ("not at all").

PATTERN 1 — COMPARISON:

まるで〜ようだ / みたいだ (just like ~)

PATTERN 2 — TOTAL NEGATION:

まるで〜ない (not at all, completely not)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • まるで: strong resemblance or total negation (conversational to written)
  • あたかも: as if (literary/formal, comparison only)
  • ちょうど: exactly like (precise match, not figurative)
  • まさに: truly, exactly (emphasis without comparison)

Related Words

Synonym: あたかも (as if (literary))
general
Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.5.27 23:10
03500/03739_marude